Pho Beef Noodle Soup

                               

Ingredients

Makes 4 servings

Broth

• 3 lbs of beef shin bones or neck bones 
• 1/2 lb rib or sirloin(optional)
• 5 quarts of water
• 1 package of Pho Spices (cinnamon stick, whole star anise, cardamom pods, cloves, coriander seeds, black peppercorns, fennel seeds)
• 1 onion, halved
• 4 slice of ginger
• 1 scallion (optional)
• 1/2 tbsp salt
• 1/4 cup fish sauce
• 1 tbsp sugar

Main Ingredients

• 1 lb rice noodles, fresh or dried (thin rice sticks)
• 1 lb beef brisket, thin sliced (Frozen section in Asian supermarket)

Condiments

• handful of Thai basil
• 1 lime, cut into wedges
• 1 jalapeno pepper, sliced
• 1 bag bean sprouts, snap off the head and tail
• Sriracha hot sauce

Pho noodles, Thai basil, bean sprouts, lime, ginger, yellow onion and jalapeno

Onion, ginger, Pho spices, and disposable teabag

Snap off the head and tail of the bean sprouts (optional)

Method

1. In a large stockpot, bring 5qt water to a boil. Add the beef rib, bones, and bring back to a boil.
2. Parboil the rib and bones for at least 10 minutes, drain, rinse both the bones and the pot.
3. Place the beef rib and bones back in to the pot. Add 5 qt cold water, Pho spices, onion,  ginger, and scallion.
4. Cover the pot and bring to a boil over high heat.
5. Add salt, fish sauce, and sugar to taste, and lower the heat to simmer for about 1 1/2 hours.
6. Skim off residue from the surface during simmering.
7. Remove the beef rib and set aside. Cool completely and refrigerate it for 1 hour before slicing.
8. Adjust seasoning by adding 1 to 2 tsp salt or fish sauce to the broth.
9. Continue simmering for another 2 hours.

 

Let the beef rib cool completely and refrigerate for 1 hour before slicing  

10. Soak the rice noodles in warm water for 5 minutes and drain.

Soak the rice noodles

11. Blanch the rice noodles in boiling water for 30 seconds and drain. For dried noodles, let it sit     another 30 seconds.

Pour the boiling water over the soaked rice noodles, and let it sit for  30  seconds

Ready to cook sliced beef brisket

12. Prepare a plate with all condiments for the table.

Thai basil, limes, bean sprouts, sliced onion, jalapeno pepper

13. Bring the broth back to a rolling boil. Place the rice noodles, cooked beef rib and raw beef brisket slices in a bowl.

14. Ladle the hot broth into each bowl, and serve immediately.

15. Garnish with your favorite toppings, and Sriracha hot sauce.