Title: PHO BAC
  Categories: Soups, Viet
       Yield: 4 Servings
  
       5 lb Beef bones with marrow
       5 lb Oxtails
       2 lb Short rib plate
       2 lg Onion; halved & unpeeled,
            -studded with 8 whole cloves
       3    Shallot; unpeeled
       2 oz Ginger, fresh; unpeeled, in
       8    Star anise
       1    Cinnamon stick
       4 md Parsnip; cut into 2" pieces
       2 ts Salt
       1 lb Beef sirloin
       2    Scallion; thinly sliced
       1 tb Coriander; shredded
       2 md Onion; sliced paper-thin
     1/4 c  Hot chili sauce (tuong ot)
            -or nuoc cham)
       1 lb Dried rice stick, 1/4" wide
     1/2 c  Nuoc mam (Vietnamese fish sa
            Pepper, black
 
 MMMMM--------------------------GARNISH-------------------------------
       2 c  Fresh bean sprouts
       2    Fresh red chile peppers;
            -sliced
       2    Lime; cut into wedges
       2 tb Olive oil
       2 lg Garlic clove; flattened
  
       In order to cut the beef into paper-thin slices, freeze the
   pieces of meat for 30 minutes before slicing.
   
       The night before, clean the bones under cold running water and
   soak overnight in a pot with water to cover at room temperature.
   (This will help loosen the impurities inside the bones. When heat is
   applied, these impurities are released and come to the top much
   faster and can be removed, therefore, producing a clear broth.)
   
       Place the beef bones, oxtails and short rib plate in a large
   stockpot. Add water to cover and bring to a boil. Cook for 10
   minutes. Drain. Rinse the pot and the bones.
   
       Return the bones to the pot and add six quarts of water. Bring to
   a boil. Skim the surface to remove the foam and fat. Stir the bones
   in the bottom of the pot from time to time to free the impurities.
   Continue skimming until the foam ceases to rise. Add three quarts
   more water and bring to a boil. Skim off all the residue that forms
   on the top. Turn the heat to low and simmer.
   
       Meanwhile, char the clove-studded onions, shallots and ginger
   directly over a gas burner or under the broiler until they release
   their fragrant odors. Tie the charred vegetables, star anise and
   cinnamon stick in a double thickness of dampened cheesecloth. Add the
   spice bag, parsnips and salt to the simmer-ing broth. Simmer for one
   hour.
   
       Remove the short rib plates. Pull the meat away from the bones.
   Reserve the meat and return the bones to the pot. Simmer the broth,
   uncovered, for four to five hours. Keep an eye on it; as the liquid
   boils away, add enough fresh water to cover the bones.
   
       Meanwhile, slice the beef sirloin against the grain into paper-
   thin slices, roughly two by two inches in size. Slice the reserved
   short rib meat paper-thin. Set aside.
   
       In a small bowl, combine the scallions, coriander and half of the
   slice onions. Place the remaining sliced onions in a small bowl and
   stir in the hot chili sauce. Blend well.
   
       Soak the rice sticks in warm water for 30 minutes. Drain and set
   aside.
   
       When the broth is ready, remove and discard all of the bones.
   Strain the broth through a strainer or colander lined with a double
   layer of dampened cheesecloth into a clean pot. Add the fish sauce
   and bring the broth to a boil. Reduce the heat and keep the broth at
   a bare simmer.
   
       In another pot, bring four quarts of water to a boil. Drain the
   noodles, then drop them in the boiling water. Drain immediately.
   Divide the noodles among four large soup bowls. Top the noodles with
   the sliced meats. bring the broth to a rolling boil. Ladle the broth
   directly over the meat in each bowl (the boiling broth will cook the
   raw beef instantly). Garnish with the scallion mixture and freshly
   ground black pepper.
   
       Serve the onions in hot chili sauce and the accompaniments on the
   side. Each diner will add these ingredients as desired.
   
                                         The Foods of Vietnam
                                         Nicole Rauthier
                                         per Stephen Ceideburg
                                         Fidonet COOKING echo
  
 

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