Vietnamese Beef Broth (Phở Bò)

After my visit  to Pho Restaurant in Brighton, I have of course been inspired to write a recipe. If you would like to try making this delicious, nourishing and healthy Soup at home, here is my do'able version:

Ingredients:

(for the Beef Broth)

3 kg Beef Bones 

1 slice of Beef Brisket (stewing steak)

1 Onion, halved

1 Carrot, sliced

1 large Piece of Ginger, sliced

5 cloves

1 tsp Peppercorns

1 tsp Fennel Seeds

2 Cassia Bark Sticks

2 Star Anise

3 Black cardamon Pods

3 tbs Fish sauce

1 tbs Sea Salt

a piece of Rock Sugar

a bunch of Coriander Stalks

Place the Bones and Stewing Steak into a Stock Pot and cover with cold Water. 

Bring to the boil, then turn the heat to low.

A lot of foam and scum will rise to the top at it comes to a simmer. 

Lovingly remove this with a spoon. 

That done add the spices and seasonings.

Simmer on a very low heat, without a lid for a minimum of 3 hours. (the longer the better) During this time keep skimming of any rising foam and the fat.

Do not stir the Broth to much, to keep it nice and clear.

After about 1 1/2 hour take out the Beef Brisket (Stewing Steak) and leave to cool. 

Ingredients for the Bowl:

Flat Rice Noodles, soaked in hot water for 10 minutes then rinsed.

Spring Onions, cut into rings

Red Chilli slithers

Coriander Leaves

Thai Basil Leaves

Vietnamese Mint Leaves

The Beef Brisket, sliced

Filet Steak, sliced very thinly

Ox Tripe, thinly sliced (optional)

Bean Sprouts

Feshly ground Black Pepper 

Arrange the Noodles,  Beef Brisket,  Steak slices and the ingredients that you like in your Bowl, ready for the steaming hot Broth to be ladled over. Add in or leave out all that is to your personal taste. 

This is the beauty if the Pho, you make it your own, just the way you want it. 

Strain the Beef Broth through a sieve lined with wet muslin.

Return to a bubbling boil and check the seasoning one last time

Add a little Fish Sauce if needed.

Finally ladle the boiling Broth into your Bowls and serve with a Lime Wedge, some chilli slithers and some more of the herbs on the side. These can be added to taste at the table.

Enjoy!