Spicy Beef Noodle Soup

Ingredients

• 1 kg (2.2 lbs) beef bones 1 kg (2.2 lbs) beef bones
• 500g (1.1 lbs) beef shank, thinly sliced 500g (1.1 lbs) beef shank, thinly sliced
• 2 lemongrass stalks, bruised 2 lemongrass stalks, bruised
• 4 dried chili peppers 4 dried chili peppers
• 2 tablespoons shrimp paste 2 tablespoons shrimp paste
• 1 onion, sliced 1 onion, sliced
• 4 cloves garlic, minced 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• 2 liters (8 cups) beef broth 2 liters (8 cups) beef broth
• 200g (7 oz) rice noodles 200g (7 oz) rice noodles
• 1 tablespoon fish sauce 1 tablespoon fish sauce
• 1 tablespoon sugar 1 tablespoon sugar
• Salt, to taste Salt, to taste
• Bean sprouts, lime wedges, Thai basil, and cilantro for garnish Bean sprouts, lime wedges, Thai basil, and cilantro for garnish

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 450 kcal / 1884 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 12g, 4g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 45g, 5g
• Protein: 40g
• Fiber: 3g
• Salt: 2g

Preparation

1. 1.
   In a large pot, heat the vegetable oil over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sliced onion, and sauté until fragrant.
2. 2.
   Add the beef bones, beef shank, lemongrass, dried chili peppers, and shrimp paste to the pot. Stir well to combine.
3. 3.
   Pour in the beef broth and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to low and let it simmer for at least 2 hours, skimming off any impurities that rise to the surface.
4. 4.
   While the broth is simmering, cook the rice noodles according to the package instructions. Drain and set aside.
5. 5.
   Once the broth has developed a rich flavor, remove the beef bones and lemongrass stalks from the pot. Season the broth with fish sauce, sugar, and salt to taste.
6. 6.
   To serve, divide the cooked rice noodles among bowls. Top with the sliced beef shank and ladle the hot broth over the noodles.
7. 7.
   Garnish with bean sprouts, lime wedges, Thai basil, and cilantro. Serve hot and enjoy!

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Lemongrass — Bruise the lemongrass stalks by lightly pounding them with a rolling pin or the back of a knife to release their aromatic oils.
• Shrimp paste — If you find the smell of shrimp paste overpowering, you can lightly toast it in a dry pan before adding it to the soup to mellow out the flavor.

Tips & Tricks

• For an extra kick of heat, add a few drops of chili oil or Sriracha sauce to your bowl of soup.
• Customize your toppings by adding thinly sliced onions, chopped scallions, or sliced jalapeños for an added crunch and flavor.
• If you prefer a thicker broth, you can dissolve a small amount of cornstarch in water and add it to the soup while it's simmering.

Serving advice

Serve the Spicy Beef Noodle Soup piping hot in individual bowls. Encourage your guests to squeeze fresh lime juice over their soup and add bean sprouts and herbs according to their preference. This dish is best enjoyed with chopsticks and a spoon to savor every flavorful bite.

Presentation advice

To enhance the presentation of the Spicy Beef Noodle Soup, arrange the garnishes neatly on a platter and let your guests add them to their bowls as desired. The vibrant colors of the fresh herbs and lime wedges will add visual appeal to the dish.