My first post in a long while. Relocation and adjustments to deal with. Hope to have more posts in the future.
This is comfort food that is
very simple to put together. Inspired somewhat by all the beef Pho around near
where we live. While not the same thing, its more of a short cut beef noodle
soup dish that one can put together with relative ease after work. Especially
on a cold day, this is so good.
The trick to a quick dinner prep is to actually
do most of the work while the broth is simmering. Literally can be done in 45
mins or less and way more satisfying than instant noodles.
You can use your own homemade beef stock, which is highly recommended. In a pinch, store bought works fine.
What you will need to
serve 4
For the soup / broth
4 pieces of star anise
1 cinnamon quill
1 teaspoon black
peppercorns
8 cloves garlic –
crushed with the side of a knife
1 bunch Corriander
Root – washed clean and crushed with the side of a knife – Reserve leaves for
garnish.
4 shallots or half an onion
– sliced
3 tablespoons dark
soy sauce
1 tablespoon fish
sauce
1 tablespoon oyster sauce
¼ cup light soy sauce
1.5 - 2 liters beef or
veal stock. (Store bought is fine, just watch the salt content)
Garnish
Corriander Leaves (The roots are in the soup) - chopped
2 stalks Spring onion – sliced
Sesame oil
Back/white peeper
Chillies (optional)
Chillies (optional)
The rest of the stuff
320 - 400 grams of
noodles. (Egg noodles, ramen and thai stick noodles all work well)
1 cup bean sprouts (Optional)
1 cup spinach or other
Asian greens (Bok Choy or Mustard greens are great as well)
400-600 grams Beef
Tenderloin (Eye Fillet) – Thinly sliced.
Method
- Cut the corriander at the stem, about 2 inches above to root. Wash clean, set aside the leaves and root separately. The leaves will be used when serving.
- Drizzle a little light soy sauce over the beef and mix. Set aside.
- In a large pot or stockpot, heat some cooking oil (about 2 tablespoons) over a medium heat. When oil is heated up, put in the Garlic, peppercorns, coriander rood, shallots, star anise and cinnamon. Fry until fragrant. About 5 mins. Browning on the garlic and shallots is good, just don’t burn them.
- Add all the beef stock into the pot. Add the soy sauces and oyster sauce and fish sauce. Stir to mix well. Bring to a boil and then lower heat, allowing to simmer for about 20mins.
- While the broth is simmering, cook your noodles according to packaging instructions and portion into serving bowls.
- Blanch vegetables and portion into serving bowls.
- Portion the beef over the noodles and vegetables in the serving bowls. (yes raw)
- Turn off the heat in the stockpot. Pour or ladle half of the broth into each serving bowl through a strainer. The heat from the hot broth should cook the sliced beef just right. If you are not comfortable with rare beef, just blanch the beef in small bowl of the broth prior to serving.
- Garnish and serve.