Rinse the rice until the water runs clear. Put in a small saucepan with 250ml (1 cup) water, cover and bring to a simmer over medium heat. Reduce the heat to low and cook for 12 mins or until tender and the water is absorbed. Turn off the heat and stand, covered, for at least 5 mins.
Step 2 — Prep vegetables
Meanwhile, thinly slice the spring onion on an angle. Crush or finely chop the garlic. Halve the zucchini lengthwise, then thinly slice on an angle. Trim the beans and halve on an angle. Finely chop the coriander, including the stems.
Step 3 — Make stir-fry sauce
Combine the sweet chilli sauce (sweet chilli sauce only packs a very mild chilli hit, but reduce if less heat is desired), half the fish sauce*, 3 tsp white vinegar and 2 tsp soy sauce in a bowl.
Step 4 — Stir-fry beef
BEEF OPTION Separate the beef stir-fry. Heat 1 tbs oil in a medium deep frypan over high heat until very hot (beef stir-fry is best with hot, fast cooking; get the pan very hot before adding the beef and stick to the short cooking time). Stir-fry the beef for 1-2 mins until browned. Remove from the pan.
Step 5 — Stir-fry vegetables
Heat 1 tbs oil in the same pan over high heat until hot. Stir-fry the spring onion, garlic and cashews for 1 min. Add the zucchini and beans and stir-fry for 3 mins or until just tender.
Step 6 — Finish stir-fry and serve
Return the beef and any resting juices to the pan, add the stir-fry sauce and cook, stirring, for 1 min or until heated through and combined. Remove from the heat and stir in the coriander. Fluff the rice with a fork. Divide the rice and beef stir-fry among bowls to serve.