http://steamykitchen.com/271-vietnamese-beef-noodle-soup-pho.html
BROTH
- 5 pounds beef marrow or knuckle bones
- 2 pounds beef chuck, cut into 2 pieces
- 2 (3-inch) pieces ginger, cut in half lengthwise and lightly bruised with the flat side of a knife, lightly charred (see Note, below)
- 2 yellow onions, peeled and charred (see Note, below)
- 1/4 cup fish sauce
- 3 ounces rock sugar, or 3 tablespoons sugar
- 10 whole star anise, lightly toasted in a dry pan
- 6 whole cloves, lightly toasted in a dry pan
- 1 tablespoon sea salt
NOODLE ASSEMBLY
- 1 pound dried 1/16-inch-wide rice sticks, soaked, cooked and drained (see Tips, below)
- 1/3 pound beef sirloin, slightly frozen, then sliced paper-thin across the grain
GARNISHES
- 1/2 yellow onion, sliced paper-thin
- 3 scallions, cut into thin rings
- 1/3 cup chopped cilantro
- 1 pound bean sprouts
- 10 sprigs Asian basil
- 1 dozen saw-leaf herb leaves (optional)
- 6 Thai bird chilies or 1 serrano chili, cut into thin rings
- 1 lime, cut into 6 thin wedges
- Freshly ground black pepper
Preparation
1. In a large stockpot, bring 6 quarts water to a boil.
Place the bones and beef chuck in a second pot and add water to cover.
Bring to a boil and boil vigorously for 5 minutes. Using tongs,
carefully transfer the bones and beef to the first pot of boiling water.
Discard the water in which the meat cooked. (This cleans the bones and
meat and reduces the impurities that can cloud the broth.) When the
water returns to a boil, reduce the heat to a simmer. Skim the surface
often to remove any foam and fat. Add the charred ginger and onions,
fish sauce and sugar. Simmer until the beef chuck is tender, about 40
minutes. Remove one piece and submerge in cool water for 10 minutes to
prevent the meat from darkening and drying out. Drain, then cut into
thin slices and set aside. Let the other piece of beef chuck continue to
cook in the simmering broth.
2. When the broth has been simmering for about 1 1/2
hours total, wrap the star anise and cloves in a spice bag (or piece of
cheesecloth) and add to the broth. Let infuse until the broth is
fragrant, about 30 minutes. Remove and discard both the spice bag and
onions. Add the salt and continue to simmer, skimming as necessary,
until you're ready to assemble the dish. The broth needs to cook for at
least 2 hours. (The broth will taste salty but will be balanced once the
noodles and accompaniments are added.) Leave the remaining chuck and
bones to simmer in the pot while you assemble the bowls.
3. To serve, place the cooked noodles in preheated
bowls. (If the noodles are not hot, reheat them in a microwave or dip
them briefly in boiling water to prevent them from cooling down the
soup.) Place a few slices of the beef chuck and the raw sirloin on the
noodles. Bring the broth to a rolling boil; ladle about 2 to 3 cups into
each bowl. The broth will cook the raw beef instantly. Garnish with
yellow onions, scallions and cilantro. Serve immediately, inviting
guests to garnish the bowls with bean sprouts, herbs, chilies, lime
juice and black pepper.
How to Char Ginger and Onions:
To char ginger, hold the piece with tongs directly over an open flame or place it directly on a medium-hot electric burner. While turning, char until the edges are slightly blackened and the ginger is fragrant, about 3 to 4 minutes. Char the onions in the same way. Peel and discard the blackened skins of the ginger and onions, then rinse and add to the broth.
To char ginger, hold the piece with tongs directly over an open flame or place it directly on a medium-hot electric burner. While turning, char until the edges are slightly blackened and the ginger is fragrant, about 3 to 4 minutes. Char the onions in the same way. Peel and discard the blackened skins of the ginger and onions, then rinse and add to the broth.
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