Vietnamese-Style Beef Noodle Soup

By norsegal8

For this soup, be sure to have all the vegetables and herbs ready at hand.

Ingredients

• 8 ounces thick rice noodles
• Broth
• 5 cups low-sodium chicken broth
• 4 medium cloves garlic, smashed and peeled
• 2 inch piece fresh ginger, peeled, cut into 1/8-inch rounds, and smashed
• 2 cinnamon sticks (3-inch)
• 2 star anise
• 2 tablespoons Asian fish sauce
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
• Soup
• 12 ounces sirloin steak, sliced crosswise into 1/4-inch strips
• Ground black pepper
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• 2 cups bean sprouts (about 5 ounces)
• 1 jalapeño chile, sliced thin
• 2 scallions, white and green parts, sliced thin on an angle
• 1/3 cup loose-packed fresh basil leaves, leaves torn in half if large
• 1/2 cup loose-packed fresh mint leaves, leaves torn in half if large
• 1/2 cup loose-packed fresh cilantro leaves
• 2 tablespoons chopped unsalted roasted peanuts
• Lime wedges

Preparation

Step 1

Noodles
1. Bring 4 quarts water to boil in large pot. Off heat, add rice sticks, and let sit until tender, 10 to 15 minutes. Drain and distribute among four bowls.

Broth

2. Bring all ingredients to boil in medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Reduce heat to low; simmer partially covered to blend flavors, about 20 minutes. Remove solids with slotted spoon and discard. Cover and keep hot over low heat until ready to serve.

Assembling the Soup

3. Season steak with salt and pepper. Heat oil in medium skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add half of steak slices in single layer and sear until well-browned, 1 to 2 minutes on each side; set aside. Repeat with remaining slices.

4. Divide the noodles and sprouts among the bowls, (see illustrations below).

5. Add the steak, then ladle in the broth.

6. Sprinkle on the remaining ingredients and serve immediately, passing lime wedges separately.