Spicy Beef Salad

• 1 pound beef, cut into thin strips about 2 inches long by 1 inch wide
• 2 large Japanese cucumbers, peeled, halved and sliced into thin crescents

Dressing:

• 1 tablespoon thinly sliced lemon grass
• 1 1/2 tablespoons roasted rice powder, optional
• 5 cloves very fresh garlic, thinly sliced
• 1/2 cup thinly sliced shallots
• 1/2 cup chopped fresh mint leaves
• 1/4 cup fresh lime juice
• 3 to 4 tablespoons fish sauce
• 1/2 cup chopped cilantro
• 2 to 3 Thai chiles, or serranos, thinly sliced with seeds
• 2 teaspoons sugar
• 1 head romaine, inner leaves only
• 3 green onions, sliced diagonally