Authentic Oxtail Pho
Description
Make oxtail pho from scratch by simmering the broth for 6 hours while preparing the delicious add-ins of noodles, sirloin, beef balls, fried shallots, and bean sprouts.
Ingredients
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water to cover
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1 1/2 pounds beef oxtail, or to taste
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2 Spanish onions, peeled, divided
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1 tablespoon fish sauce, or to taste
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1 tablespoon whole star anise pods
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1 cinnamon stick
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salt to taste
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3 tablespoons beef pho flavor paste
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2 bunches scallions, chopped
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1 bunch fresh cilantro, chopped
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1 (16 ounce) package dried rice noodles, or to taste
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1 (12 ounce) package beef pho meatballs, halved, or to taste
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1/2 pound sirloin steak, thinly sliced, or to taste
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1 lime, cut into 8 wedges
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4 teaspoons white sugar, or to taste
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1 (8 ounce) package bean sprouts
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1 bunch Thai basil leaves, torn into bite-size pieces
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1 (2 4/5 ounce) can crispy fried shallots, or to taste
Directions
1
Bring water and oxtail to a boil in a pot. Skim the foam and oil off the surface. Add 1 onion, fish sauce, star anise, cinnamon, and salt. Stir in pho flavor paste; cover loosely with a lid. Reduce heat and simmer broth for at least 6 hours.
2
Cut the remaining onion in half and slice very thinly. Place in a bowl with scallions and cilantro.
3
Place noodles in a large bowl and rinse. Cover with warm water and let soak for 1 hour.
4
Drop meatballs into the soup 20 minutes before broth is done.
5
Bring a small saucepan of water to a boil. Drain noodles and dip into the boiling water for 30 seconds. Transfer noodles into 8 large bowls.
6
Top each bowl with sliced sirloin. Ladle in broth, meatballs, and oxtail. Taste and season as needed. Squeeze 1 or 2 lime wedges into each bowl and mix in 1/2 teaspoon sugar. Top with the cilantro-onion mixture, bean sprouts, basil, and shallots.