Homeward bound from the airport after my Vietnam adventure stopped in at Springvale, the heart of Vietnam in Australia. Wow….have such an appreciation and understanding of the food here now and all the ingredients on tap! So authentic, I felt like I was in Vietnam again. I think I will be making regular trips to keep the holiday feeling alive.
A tip is to make the stock in advance and freeze it if pressed for time.
Serves 6
Ingredients:
- 2 Litres beef stock (homemade preferred – 1kg beef bones, 3L cold water – see method for how)
- 2 brown onions, finely sliced
- 5cm piece ginger, peeled & sliced
- 5 whole star anise
- 1 tsp whole peppercorns
- 5 whole cloves
- 1 tablespoon coriander seeds
- 4 tablespoons fish sauce (Note: if your fish sauce is black it is oxidised. Throw it out & buy a fresh bottle. You should be able to see your hand through the bottle)
- 2 tablespoons lime juice
- 100g thick rice noodles (fresh preferred)
- 200g beef fillet steak, thinly sliced
- 2 cups (110g) bean sprouts
- 1 bunch Asian greens (destem if thick), sliced
- 2 red birdseye chillies, thinly sliced (to reduce the heat, just leave them in for a minute then take them out – start small you can always add but you can’t take away. Remember sweet is the antidote of spicy)
- 1 bunch fresh mint
- 1 bunch fresh coriander
- 1 bunch fresh basil
- Lime wedges to serve
Method:
- Place beef bones, water, onion, ginger, star anise, cinnamon, peppercorns, cloves, coriander seeds in a large saucepan over high heat. Bring to the boil then reduce to low heat and simmer for 3 hours. Set aside to cool, then strain into clean saucepan.
- Bring stock to simmer over high heat again. Stir in fish sauce and lime juice. Taste and add more if required.
- Prepare noodles as instructed or soak fresh noodles in boiling water for 5 minutes. Drain well.
- Divide noodles and beef evenly amongst serving bowls. Pour hot soup evening over the beef (it cooks it). Top with bean sprouts, Asian greens, chilli, herbs and lime.
If you like it share it.
Do you have any great Vietnamese recipes you would love to share. Comment below. Love to hear them.
