Tamarind Beef and Cucumber Salad

MY FRIEND VY, FROM MORNING GLORY RESTAURANT IN HOI AN, ASKED ME TO MAKE A FRESH VIETNAMESE SALAD THAT SHE HAD NEVER TRIED BEFORE. I WAS A LITTLE NERVOUS, AS SHE IS A GURU OF VIETNAMESE CUISINE. I STEPPED INSIDE HER SMALL KITCHEN AND NOTICED ONE OF HER COOKS SQUEEZING TAMARIND PULP, WHICH GAVE ME THE INSPIRATION. WITHIN MINUTES I HAD COMPLETED HER SALAD AND, TO MY RELIEF, VY REALLY ENJOYED IT. IF YOU STORE SOME TAMARIND WATER IN YOUR FRIDGE, YOU CAN WHIP UP THIS SALAD IN NO TIME.