Beef Noodle Soup (Pho Bo)
Notes: The beef broth (steps 1 and 2) can be made up to 1 day ahead; cover beef chuck and broth separately and chill. Bring broth to a boil before serving. For a simpler version of the dish, omit the beef chuck, increase the boned sirloin steak to 2 pounds, and increase the beef broth to 3 quarts; for steps 1 and 2, simmer broth (omit water) with the spice bundle for 30 minutes, then discard bundle and add fish sauce, sugar, and salt to taste. To slice the sirloin as thinly as possible, freeze it flat for 30 to 45 minutes, then cut crosswise into 2- to 3-inch-long strips. You can slice the meat up to 6 hours ahead; cover and chill.
How to Make It
Step 1
1
Wrap ginger, shallots, star anise, and cinnamon stick in two layers of cheesecloth (about 17 by 17 in.); tie with heavy cotton string. In an 8- to 10-quart pan, combine beef chuck, broth, 2 1/2 quarts water, 1/4 cup fish sauce, sugar, and spice bundle. Cover and bring to a boil over high heat; uncover, reduce heat, and simmer until beef is tender when pierced, 1 1/2 to 1 3/4 hours.
Step 2
2
With a slotted spoon, transfer meat to a board. Remove and discard spice bundle. Skim and discard fat from broth. Add salt and more fish sauce to taste. Return broth to a simmer.
Step 3
3
Meanwhile, arrange bean sprouts, chilies, basil, cilantro, and limes on a platter. When beef chuck is cool enough to handle, thinly slice across the grain.
Step 4
4
Immerse sliced sirloin in simmering broth (use a wire basket or strainer, if available) and cook just until brown on the outside but still pink in the center, 30 seconds to 1 minute; lift out (with basket or a slotted spoon).
Step 5
5
Mound hot Cooked Rice Noodles equally in deep bowls (at least 3-cup capacity). Top equally with beef chuck, sirloin, yellow onion, and green onions. Ladle broth over portions to cover generously.
Step 6
6
Serve Beef Noodle Soup with platter of condiments, hoisin sauce, and chili paste to add to taste.
Ingredients
1/2 cup thinly sliced fresh ginger (about 3 oz.)
1 cup thinly sliced shallots (about 4 oz.)
3 whole star anise (or 2 teaspoons pieces) or 1 teaspoon anise seeds
1 cinnamon stick (3 in. long)
1 1/2 pounds boned beef chuck, rinsed and fat trimmed
2 1/2 quarts fat-skimmed beef broth (see notes)
About 1/4 cup Asian fish sauce (nuoc mam or nam pla)
1 tablespoon sugar
Salt
2 cups bean sprouts (5 to 6 oz.), rinsed
1/4 cup very thinly sliced fresh hot red or green chilies (about 1 oz.), such as Thai, serrano, or jalapeño
1/2 cup rinsed fresh Thai or small regular basil leaves
1/2 cup rinsed fresh cilantro leaves
3 limes (3 oz. each), rinsed and cut into wedges
8 ounces boned beef sirloin steak, fat trimmed, very thinly sliced (see notes)
1/2 cup thinly sliced yellow onion
3/4 cup thinly sliced green onions (including green tops)
Hoisin sauce (optional)
Asian red chili paste or sauce (optional)
Directions
Step 1
1
Wrap ginger, shallots, star anise, and cinnamon stick in two layers of cheesecloth (about 17 by 17 in.); tie with heavy cotton string. In an 8- to 10-quart pan, combine beef chuck, broth, 2 1/2 quarts water, 1/4 cup fish sauce, sugar, and spice bundle. Cover and bring to a boil over high heat; uncover, reduce heat, and simmer until beef is tender when pierced, 1 1/2 to 1 3/4 hours.
Step 2
2
With a slotted spoon, transfer meat to a board. Remove and discard spice bundle. Skim and discard fat from broth. Add salt and more fish sauce to taste. Return broth to a simmer.
Step 3
3
Meanwhile, arrange bean sprouts, chilies, basil, cilantro, and limes on a platter. When beef chuck is cool enough to handle, thinly slice across the grain.
Step 4
4
Immerse sliced sirloin in simmering broth (use a wire basket or strainer, if available) and cook just until brown on the outside but still pink in the center, 30 seconds to 1 minute; lift out (with basket or a slotted spoon).
Step 5
5
Mound hot Cooked Rice Noodles equally in deep bowls (at least 3-cup capacity). Top equally with beef chuck, sirloin, yellow onion, and green onions. Ladle broth over portions to cover generously.
Step 6
6
Serve Beef Noodle Soup with platter of condiments, hoisin sauce, and chili paste to add to taste.
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