Faux Pho Bo (vietnamese Beef Noodle Soup)

Total Time: 1 hr 30 mins Preparation Time: 30 mins Cook Time: 1 hr

Ingredients

• Servings: 6
• 4 quarts fat free low-sodium beef broth
• 1 large onion, sliced into paper-thin rings
• 6 slices peeled fresh gingerroot (about the size of quarters)
• 1 stalk lemongrass, cleaned, leaves removed (do not substitute lemon zest or juice(the flavor is not at all the same)
• 1 small piece cinnamon stick (i use broken pieces of stick cinnamon, about 1 tsp total)
• 1 teaspoon whole black peppercorn
• 1 lb beef sirloin tip, cut into very thin slices (ask the butcher to slice it paper thin(i like to buy beef for sukiyaki at the oriental market)
• 1/2 lb fresh bean sprout, rinsed and drained
• 1 cup fresh thai basil, rinsed and dried
• 1 cup fresh cilantro leaves, rinsed and dried (coriander)
• 2 limes, cut into wedges
• 1/2-1 lb flat rice noodles (i prefer noodles about 1/4 inch wide)
• sambal oelek (optional) or sriracha sauce (optional)
• thinly sliced serrano peppers (optional) or jalapeno chile (optional)
• fish sauce (nam pla) (optional)
• hoisin sauce (optional)

Recipe

• 1 in a 6 quart stockpot, combine broth, onion, ginger, lemongrass, cinnamon, and peppercorns (tie the seasonings loosely in cheesecloth for easier removal). bring to a boil, reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 1 hour.
• 2 meanwhile, prepare rice noodles and garnishes.
• 3 arrange bean sprouts, basil, cilantro, chilies, and limes on a large platter.
• 4 to prepare rice noodles, bring 4-6 quarts of water to a boil. add rice noodles and stir to separate. cook until just barely tender, about 2-3 minutes. drain well. if not quite ready to serve, rinse noodles and drain again.
• 5 to serve, remove seasonings (except onions) from broth; keep broth hot.
• 6 place ½ cup rice noodles in each of 6 large, deep bowls.
• 7 arrange thinly sliced beef over noodles, fanning out to increase surface area. ladle very hot broth over beef and stir to cook.
• 8 serve immediately. pass garnish platter, hoisin sauce, fish sauce, and sambal oelek or sriracha sauce for people to add as desired.