3 liters/5 pints/12 cups water fish sauce, to taste
juice
of 1 lime
150g/5oz fillet
(tenderloin) steak
450g/1lb fresh
flat rice noodles
salt and ground black pepper
For the
accompaniments:
1 small red onion,
sliced into rings
115g/4oz beans prouts
2
fresh red chilies, seeded and sliced
2 spring onions
(scallions), sliced
coriander (cilantro) leaves
lime wedges
Serves 4-6
Method:
Cut the onion in half. Grill (broil) under a high
heat, cut side up. until the exposed sides are
caramelized. Set aside.
Cut the meat into large chunks and then place with
the bones in a large pan. Add the caramelized onion
with the ginger; star anise, bay leaf. cloves,
fennel seeds and cinnamon.
Add the water; bring to the boil, then simmer gently
for 2-3 hours, skimming off the fat and scum
occasionally.
Remove the meat from the stock and cut
into small pieces, discarding the bones. Strain the
stock and return to the pan together with the meat.
Bring back to the boil and season with the fish
sauce and lime juice.
Slice the fillet steak very
thinly and then chill until required. Place the
accompaniments in separate bowls.
Cook the noodles
in boiling water until just tender. Drain and divide
among soup bowls.
Top with steak, pour the hot stock
over and serve, offering the accompaniments
separately so that each person may garnish their
soup as they like.