Authentic Pho Soup

A hearty, healthy soup

Ingredients

• 12 ounces lean beef sirloin, fat trimmed
• Sea salt and freshly ground pepper
• 1 large onion, halved
• 1 4-inch piece ginger, unpeeled, halved
• 3 cups beef broth
• 5 star anise pods
• 1 cinnamon stick
• 4 scallions
• 2 jalapeno peppers, preferably red and green
• 1/2 cup fresh cilantro
• 2 to 4 tablespoons fish sauce
• 1 cup fresh bean sprouts

Directions

1. Place a large pot over high heat
2. Tenderize the beef and season with salt and pepper
3. Sear the meat for 2 to 3 minutes per side, then transfer to a plate
4. Add ginger and onion to the same pot; cooking about 4 minutes
5. Add the broth, 3 cups water, star anise and cinnamon, reduce heat and simmer about 20 minutes.
6. Thinly slice the scallions and jalapenos 
7. Chop cilantro
8. Thinly slice the meat against the grain
9. Add the fish sauce to the broth and boil 5 minutes
10. Discard the star anise and cinnamon stick

To serve:  Pour broth, beef, scallions, cilantro, bean sprouts, jalapenos and onion in a bowl; add noodles if you like.