1-Combine cucumbers, fresh herbs, lime juice, toasted sesame seeds, roasted peanuts, serrano pepper, and avocado in a bowl to make the cucumber herb salad. Toss gently and season with salt.

2-In a separate bowl, mix tamari or soy sauce, fish sauce, chili paste, maple syrup, and 1/3 cup water, reserving some of this sauce for serving.

3-Heat oil in a skillet over medium-high heat, then add ground meat, shallots, and garlic. Cook, breaking up the meat until browned (about 5 minutes). Add the sauce mixture and continue cooking until the meat becomes crispy, approximately 5 more minutes.

4-Stir in pickled ginger and cook for an additional minute before removing from heat. This caramelizes it for sweet addictiveness.

5-Assemble the bowl by layering lemongrass coconut jasmine rice, the cooked meat mixture, cucumber herb salad, pickled carrots, and spicy mayo. Drizzle reserved sauce on top, if desired.

6-Serve immediately.

7-Cook jasmine rice with coconut milk, water, and lemongrass paste on low heat for 10 minutes. Let rest covered off heat for 15-20 minutes, then fluff. It soaks up those citrusy notes perfectly.

8-Mix rice vinegar, maple syrup or honey, toasted sesame oil, salt, and julienned carrots. Sit 15 minutes to an hour. Optional sliced ginger or jalapeños add punch.