BEEF NOODLE SOUP WITH RICE NOODLES: PHO BO

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Beef Noodle Soup with Rice Noodles: Pho Bo image

Provided by Food Network

Time 5h45m

Yield 8 servings

Number Of Ingredients 19

4 pounds, 8 ounces/ 2 kg oxtail*
4 tablespoons salt
1 unpeeled garlic bulb
4 large unpeeled onions
5 1/4 ounces/150 g unpeeled ginger
4 pounds, 8 ounces/ 2 kg beef brisket
3/4 cup/ 185 ml fish sauce
2 3/4 ounces/80 g rock sugar
3 pounds, 8 ounces/ 1.6 kg fresh rice noodle (you will need about 7 ounces/ 200 g per person)
14 ounces/400 g trimmed sirloin, thinly sliced
4 spring onions (scallions), sliced
freshly ground black pepper
Fresh coriander (cilantro) sprigs
2 bird's eye chiles, sliced
1 lime, cut into wedges
8 cloves
5 star anise
2 cassia bark, about 4-inches /10 cm in length
1 tablespoon whole black peppercorns

Steps:

  • In a large pot, submerge the oxtail in cold water, add 3 tablespoons salt and soak for 1 hour, then drain.
  • To make the spice pouch, dry roast each ingredient separately in a frying pan over medium heat until fragrant.
  • Cool, then coarsely grind the spice using a mortar and pestle or small spice grinder. Add the ground spices to the muslin square and tie up tightly in a knot. Set aside.
  • Heat a barbecue grill or chargill pan over medium-high heat and grill the unpeeled garlic, onions and ginger evenly for 15 minutes in total until all sides are blackened.
  • Now peel the blackened skins and discard them, and then roughly chop. By doing this, the garlic, onion and ginger becomes sweet and fragrant, releasing more flavour into the stock.
  • Put the oxtail, brisket and 200 fluid ounces/ 6 litres cold water in a stockpot and bring to the boil. While the stock is boiling, constantly skim any impurities off the surface for 15 minutes (this will ensure a clean, clear broth), then reduce the heat to a low simmer.
  • Add the fish sauce, remaining 1 tablespoon salt, rock sugar, garlic, onions, ginger, and spice pouch.
  • Cover and simmer for 3 hours, or until the stock has reduced to almost 1/2.
  • Strain the stock through a muslin cloth. Remove the brisket, set aside to cool, then thinly slice.
  • Blanch each portion of noodles in boiling water for 20 seconds.
  • Drain, then transfer to a serving bowl.
  • Place 3 or 4 slices of brisket on top of the noodles, followed by 3 or 4 pieces of raw sirloin. Pour over the hot stock to cover the noodles and beef.
  • Serve with 1 tablespoon spring onion, a pinch of black pepper, and a coriander sprig to each bowl.
  • At the table, add chile, and a squeeze of lime.

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