Rare Steak Well-Done Brisket Pho Recipe

Pho is a beloved Vietnamese noodle soup known for its fragrant broth and fresh ingredients. This unique recipe combines the flavors of rare steak and well-done brisket to create a rich and satisfying pho. Follow these steps to make it at home.

Ingredients

For the Broth:

• 1 large onion, peeled and halved
• 1 piece of ginger (about 4 inches), peeled and halved
• 4-5 star anise
• 2-3 cloves
• 1 cinnamon stick
• 1 tablespoon coriander seeds
• 4-5 cardamom pods
• 1-2 tablespoons fish sauce (adjust to taste)
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• 8 cups beef broth or water
• 1-2 beef bones (optional, for extra richness)

For the Pho:

• 1 pound beef brisket
• 8 ounces rice noodles (bánh phở)
• 4-6 ounces of thinly sliced rare steak (e.g., sirloin or ribeye)
• Fresh herbs: basil, cilantro, and mint
• Bean sprouts
• Lime wedges
• Sliced jalapeños or chili peppers (optional)
• Thinly sliced onion
• Hoisin sauce and Sriracha (optional)

Instructions

1. Prepare the Broth:

1. Char the Aromatics: Place the halved onion and ginger under the broiler or directly over a gas flame until they are slightly charred. This adds depth of flavor to the broth.
2. Toast the Spices: In a dry skillet, toast the star anise, cloves, cinnamon stick, coriander seeds, and cardamom pods over medium heat until fragrant. This step enhances the aromatic qualities of the broth.
3. Simmer the Broth: In a large pot, combine the toasted spices, charred onion and ginger, beef bones (if using), fish sauce, sugar, and beef broth or water. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer. Cook for 1-2 hours to develop a deep, rich flavor.
4. Strain the Broth: After simmering, strain the broth through a fine-mesh sieve to remove the solids. Taste and adjust the seasoning with additional fish sauce or sugar if needed. Keep the broth hot.

2. Prepare the Brisket and Noodles:

1. Cook the Brisket: In a separate pot, cook the beef brisket in boiling water for about 1-2 hours until it is tender. Remove from the pot, let it cool slightly, then slice it thinly against the grain.
2. Prepare the Noodles: Cook the rice noodles according to the package instructions. Drain and rinse under cold water to prevent sticking.

3. Assemble the Pho:

1. Prepare the Bowls: Divide the cooked rice noodles among serving bowls. Top with slices of well-done brisket and thinly sliced raw steak (the hot broth will cook the steak quickly).
2. Add Broth: Ladle the hot broth over the noodles and meat in each bowl. The heat will cook the rare steak slices to your desired doneness.
3. Garnish and Serve: Garnish with fresh herbs (basil, cilantro, mint), bean sprouts, lime wedges, sliced onion, and chili peppers. Offer hoisin sauce and Sriracha on the side for added flavor.

Tips:

• For Extra Flavor: You can add a touch of salt or additional fish sauce to taste.
• Make Ahead: The broth can be made in advance and stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or frozen for longer storage. Reheat before serving.

Enjoy your homemade Pho with rare steak and well-done brisket!