Country: Thailand Servings: 4 servings

Ingredients

• rice noodles – 8 oz / 225 g
• beef sirloin – 12 oz / 340 g, thinly sliced
• beef broth – 6 cups / 1.4 L
• garlic – 4 cloves, minced
• fresh ginger – 1 inch piece, sliced
• star anise – 2 pieces
• cinnamon stick – 1 piece
• fish sauce – 3 tbsp / 45 mL
• soy sauce – 2 tbsp / 30 mL
• brown sugar – 2 tsp / 10 g
• fresh cilantro – 1/4 cup / 15 g, chopped
• green onions – 2 stalks, chopped
• bean sprouts – 1 cup / 100 g
• lime – 1, cut into wedges
• vegetable oil – 2 tbsp / 30 mL
• white pepper – 1/2 tsp / 1 g

Instructions

1. Soak rice noodles in warm water until soft, drain and set aside.
2. In a large pot, heat vegetable oil over medium heat. Sauté garlic and ginger until fragrant.
3. Add beef broth, star anise, and cinnamon stick to the pot. Simmer for 20 minutes.
4. Season with fish sauce, soy sauce, and brown sugar. Adjust flavors as needed.
5. Meanwhile, in a separate pan, sear beef slices until just browned, then set aside.
6. Strain broth to remove spices. Return to pot.
7. Add noodles, seared beef, bean sprouts, and white pepper to broth. Cook until noodles are tender.
8. Garnish with fresh cilantro, green onions, and lime wedges before serving.

Substitutions

• beef sirloin -> chicken or tofu
• rice noodles -> spaghetti or udon noodles
• fish sauce -> soy sauce or tamari

Enhancements in the Next Evolution

• Enhance the depth of flavor by adding a dash of oyster sauce.
• Marinate beef in soy sauce and garlic for 30 minutes before cooking for added flavor.
• Introduce dried shrimp or mushrooms for umami richness.
• Incorporate fresh Thai basil and mint leaves for aromatic complexity.