Pho Bo

I am addicted to Phở. For anyone who hasn't tried it, it's a Vietnamese broth & noodle soup eaten traditionally for breakfast or anytime of the day and is pronounced (sort-of) like Fuh?

I have always liked it, but ever since I ate here and then the "sister restaurant" here, which is less than 10 minutes from my office, I dream about eating it every day for lunch.

The bad news is perfectly delicious packed lunches sit and go bad in the office fridge while I dash away for more Phở.

So tonight I decided to learn how to make it so I could have it anytime. Affordable, healthful, spicy yet adaptable to individual tastes, it may just be the perfect food.

My recipe inspiration came from variations I tried in restaurants as well as Epicurious.com who in turn got it from Pleasures of the Vietnamese Table by Mai Pham.

Phở Bo (Beef Noodle Soup):
(serves 4)

Beef Broth:
3 lbs beef bones (ask your butcher to cut them into managable pieces)
1.5 lbs beef short ribs or beef brisket
16 c water (4 quarts)
1 large yellow onion, peeled and quartered
2 large pieces ginger, split horizontally, not peeled
10-12 whole star anise
6-8 whole cloves
1 cinnamon stick
2 tbs salt
1/4 c fish sauce
2 tbs sugar
Thinly sliced raw sirloin beef, if desired

Directions:
Bring water to a simmer, add bones and beef, simmer with onion, ginger, fish sauce and sugar for 1.5 to 2 hours. Strain foam and fat frequently, but be careful to not stir too much as you don't want to cloud the broth.

Remove brisket/short ribs, shred meat and set aside for service. Add anise, cloves and cinnamon stick in a cheesecloth or spice bag.

Simmer broth with spices for another 30-45 minutes. Remove spice bag, onion and ginger. Strain broth well, keep boiling hot.

Noodles:
1 lb rice noodles (Banh Phở, small size)
Ample boiling water

Directions:
Cook noodles in boiling water, stirring with chopsticks or spoon to keep from clumping, just until soft (about 45-60 seconds). Remove from water, place in bowl. Top with cooked beef, thin slices of rare beef, cilantro and green onions if desired.

Accompaniments:
Bean sprouts
Choppped green onion
Fresh cilantro leaves
Slices of jalapeno (to taste)
Thai basil leaves
Lime wedges
Siracha hot sauce (to taste)

Directions:
Place all accompaniments out on a platter, serve alongside Phở.

For Service:
Noodles should already be resting in bowl with cooked beef and raw meat (if using) and any accompaniments you want to "cook" in the soup. The liquid will cook the beef. Pour boiling broth over noodles, serve immediately with accompaniments on the side. Serve with chop sticks and a soup spoon.