Beef Pho for American Taste

Ingredients and Weight:

• Beef shank with bone (4 lbs)
• Flat rice noodles (1 lb)
• Yellow onion (1 large, sliced)
• Ginger (2 oz, sliced)
• Star anise (4 pieces)
• Cloves (6 pieces)
• Cinnamon stick (1 piece)
• Fish sauce (3/4 cup)
• Brown sugar (1/2 cup)
• Soy sauce (1/4 cup)
• Chicken broth (10 cups)
• Lime (1 each, cut into wedges)
• Cilantro (1 cup, chopped)
• Bean sprouts (1 cup, fresh)
• Red chili peppers (optional, for garnish)

Preparation Time:

1 hour

Cooking Time:

4-6 hours

Difficulty Level:

3 (Moderate)

Preparation Method Steps:

1. In a large stockpot or Dutch oven, brown the beef shank with bone on all sides over medium heat. Remove the beef and set aside.
2. Add the onion, ginger, star anise, cloves, and cinnamon stick to the pot and sauté until fragrant, about 5 minutes.
3. Return the beef to the pot and add the fish sauce, brown sugar, soy sauce, and chicken broth. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 4-6 hours, or until the beef is tender.
4. Skim off any excess fat from the broth.
5. Remove the beef and shred it into bite-sized pieces.
6. Cook the rice noodles according to the package directions.
7. To serve, place a handful of noodles into a bowl. Top with the shredded beef, broth, lime wedges, cilantro, bean sprouts, and red chili peppers (if desired).

Nutritional Information (per serving):

• Calories: 500
• Fat: 20g
• Protein: 30g
• Carbohydrates: 60g

Dish Characteristics:

• Rich and flavorful broth
• Tender and juicy beef
• Aromatic spices
• Fresh and crunchy toppings
• Adaptable to American taste with the addition of brown sugar

User Comments:

• "This was the best pho I've had outside of Vietnam! The broth was so rich and flavorful, and the beef melted in my mouth."
• "I loved the sweetness from the brown sugar. It made the pho more approachable for my American friends."
• "The fresh toppings really brought the dish together. The cilantro, bean sprouts, and lime wedges added a nice balance of flavors."

Special Precautions and Tips:

• Use a good quality beef broth for the best flavor.
• Season the broth to taste with additional fish sauce or soy sauce, if desired.
• If you don't have time to simmer the broth for 4-6 hours, you can use pre-made beef broth from the supermarket. However, the flavor will not be as rich.
• To make a vegetarian version of this dish, substitute tofu for the beef.