Anise Scented Beef Pho Recipes

QUICK BEEF PHO

Steps:

• For the Pho Stock: Add the beef base and 1 quart water to a 2-quart (1.9-L) saucepan and bring to a low boil. Add the fish sauce, sugar, ginger, onion and salt to the stock and reduce the heat to a simmer. Wrap the cloves, star anise and cinnamon stick in a piece of cheesecloth and tie it into a satchel. Add the satchel to the broth and simmer for at least 30 minutes, but no more than 45 minutes.
• Around the 30 minute mark, taste the broth to see that the spice flavors have been extracted, and adjust seasonings if necessary. Strain the aromatics and satchel from the broth, return to a sauce pot, and reserve for assembly.
• For the assembly: Bring the broth back to a simmer. In a separate pot, bring water to a boil. Using a sieve or basket, quickly dip the noodles into the water until they are hot and al dente, 10 to 20 seconds. Drain the excess water from the noodles and distribute the noodles between 4 bowls.
• Top each bowl with some sliced beef, basil, bean sprouts, cilantro, jalapeno, scallions and onion, or as each person wishes. Ladle in enough broth to cover the ingredients in the bowl. Garnish with a lime wedge. I like to serve pho with Sriracha and hoisin sauce.

BEEF PHO

Steps:

• Tie up the stewing beef nicely.
• Put all the meats for the stock into a pan together with the fat, the sliced onion, star aniseed, cinnamon stick and ginger.
• Roast in a hot oven for about 40 minutes, stirring occasionally, until everything is well browned.
• Move everything to a large pot.
• Cover with water and bring to a boil.
• Skim.
• Add coriander seeds and white pepper.
• Let simmer for at least three hours.
• Take up the stewing beef and let cool, then slice thinly.
• Strain the stock.
• If made one day in advance; keep cool and remove the fat on the second day.
• Prepare the garnish: Slice the (raw) fillet of beef thinly (as for Carpaccio).
• Boil the noodles according to instructions on the package, then drain and rinse with cold water.
• Arrange the garnish (not the noodles; see below!) nicely on a big plate.
• Bring the stock to a boil, add fish sauce to taste.
• When serving, put noodles and stewing meat either into a large serving bowl, or into individual soup bowls.
• Add stock and heat to boiling point (possibly in a micro-owen).
• Serve devilishly hot.
• The guests put the garnish into their soup and the raw meat will be partially cooked from the heat of the stock.

ANISE-SCENTED BEEF PHO

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350oF. Arrange onion quarters, rounded side down, and ginger pieces on small baking sheet. Roast until the onions begin to soften, about 25 minutes. Using kitchen scissors, snip off the darf edges. Toast star anise, cardamom pods, and cinnamon stick in small skillet over medium high heat until aromatic and slightly darker in color, stirring occasionaly, about 3 minutes.
• Bring broth, water and brisket to boil in large pot over high heat. Skim off foam that rises to the top. Add onions, ginger and spices to pot. Reduce heat to medium-low. Cover and gently simmer until brisket is tender, about 2 1/2 hours. Uncover; cool 1 hour. (Can be made 2 days ahead. Chill brisket in soup, uncovered.).
• Discard any fat from surface of the soup; rewarm the soup slightly. Using tongs, tranfer brisket to cutting board. Slice thinly across the grain. Strain the soup into a large bowl; discard the solids in strainer. Return soup to same pot; boil 10 minutes. Add fish sauce and sugar; season to taste with salt and pepper. Reduce heat to low. Add brisket to soup and warm through.
• Meanwhile prepare the garnishes.
• Cook the rice noodles in medium pot of boiloing salted water until just tender; about 5 minutes.Drain.
• Divide noodles among the 6 bowls. Add brisket from soup, then onions, basil and chilies. Pour hot soup over. Serve with the remaining garnishes.

VIETNAMESE BEEF PHO

Steps:

• In a large soup pot, combine broth, onion, ginger, lemon grass, cinnamon, and peppercorns.
• Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and cover.
• Simmer for 1 hour.
• Arrange bean sprouts, mint, basil, and cilantro on a platter with chilies and lime.
• Soak the noodles in hot water to cover for 15 minutes or until soft.
• Drain.
• Place equal portions of noodles into 6 large soup bowls, and place raw beef on top.
• Ladle hot broth over noodles and beef.
• Pass platter with garnishes and sauces.