Beef Negimaki (Steak & Scallion Rolls)

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In continuation of low carb week I made Beef Negimaki yesterday.  My husband and I used to order these without fail as an appetizer when we'd go to one of our favorite Japanese restaurants back in CT.  Salty and sweet with a slight bite from the scallions they went perfectly with a giant frosty Sapporo!  Yum!  Since I'm trying to keep these low carb I omitted the brown sugar and used stevia powder (pure via brand) instead.  I wasn't sure how that would taste, but it turned out fine and had just the right amount of sweetness.  Stevia powder has a flavor that takes some getting used to, or at least it did for me - so if you aren't worried about counting carbs then go ahead and use brown sugar, honey, or agave nectar to sweeten the marinade.  I took a few other liberties with the sauce as well, adding tamarind concentrate, ginger, garlic, sesame oil and sriracha for some heat. 

Ingredients:

2 bunches of scallions
1lb thinly sliced beef (milanese style)
1 Tbl canola oil or coconut oil

For the marinade:

1/3 cup soy sauce
1/3 cup rice wine vinegar
2 Tbl fish sauce
1 tsp sesame oil
1 tsp sriracha
1 Tbl minced ginger
1 clove minced garlic
1 packet stevia sweetener
(or 1 Tbl agave nectar or 2 Tbl brown sugar)
1 tsp tamarind concentrate (optional)

Combine all marinade ingredients in a bowl or tupperware container.  Trim the scallions into six inch lengths.  Wash the scallions well and while still wet, wrap in a clean paper towel.  Place damp towel containing scallions in the microwave for 30 seconds.  Remove from microwave, open paper towel and spread the scallions out to cool.  They should turn bright green and soften enough to be pliable.  If you don't have a microwave you could blanch them in boiling water for 45 seconds and then plunge into ice water and set aside.  Lay out your thinly sliced steaks (you could also use cube steaks or flank steak pounded thinly), overlapping if necessary and trim to about 6" by 6" squares.  Lay about 5 scallions in the center of each and roll them up tightly.  You can use twine or extra scallions to tie them so they don't unravel.  place the rolls in your marinade along with the meat scraps which can be sauteed and used  in a stir fry or wrapped in lettuce leaves. Marinate for an hour or more.  Remove rolls (and meat scraps which can be cooked separately) from the marinade and pat dry.  Heat oil in a medium saute pan until hot and then place rolls into the pan.  Cook for about 4 - 6 minutes until medium rare inside (or longer if you prefer), turning frequently so all sides are nicely browned.  Remove from pan and let rest for a couple of minutes before slicing.  Meanwhile, strain the remaining marinade to get out the garlic and ginger pieces and add the marinade to the pan.  Cook for a couple of minutes or until reduced to a syrupy consistency (don't overdo it or it will harden when it cools!).  Cut the rolls on a diagonal and garnish with the sauce.