Vietnamese Lemongrass Beef Noodle Bowl

Ingredients

• 500g (1.1 lb) beef sirloin, thinly sliced 500g (1.1 lb) beef sirloin, thinly sliced
• 3 stalks lemongrass, white parts only, finely chopped 3 stalks lemongrass, white parts only, finely chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, minced 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons fish sauce 2 tablespoons fish sauce
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce 1 tablespoon soy sauce
• 200g (7 oz) rice noodles 200g (7 oz) rice noodles
• 4 cups (950ml) beef stock 4 cups (950ml) beef stock
• 1 onion, thinly sliced 1 onion, thinly sliced
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• 1 tablespoon sugar 1 tablespoon sugar
• 1 teaspoon chili flakes (optional) 1 teaspoon chili flakes (optional)
• Fresh herbs (Thai basil, cilantro, mint), for garnish Fresh herbs (Thai basil, cilantro, mint), for garnish
• Bean sprouts, for garnish Bean sprouts, for garnish
• Lime wedges, for serving Lime wedges, for serving

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 380 kcal / 1590 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 12g, 4g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 40g, 4g
• Protein: 28g
• Fiber: 2g
• Salt: 2g

Preparation

1. 1.
   In a bowl, combine the beef, lemongrass, garlic, fish sauce, and soy sauce. Mix well and let it marinate for at least 30 minutes.
2. 2.
   Cook the rice noodles according to the package instructions. Drain and set aside.
3. 3.
   In a large pot, heat the vegetable oil over medium heat. Add the onion and cook until softened.
4. 4.
   Add the marinated beef to the pot and cook until browned.
5. 5.
   Pour in the beef stock and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and let it simmer for 15-20 minutes.
6. 6.
   Stir in the sugar and chili flakes (if using). Adjust the seasoning to taste.
7. 7.
   To serve, divide the cooked rice noodles among bowls. Ladle the beef and broth over the noodles.
8. 8.
   Garnish with fresh herbs, bean sprouts, and lime wedges. Serve hot.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Lemongrass — To release the flavors, bruise the lemongrass stalks with the back of a knife before finely chopping them.
• Rice noodles — Follow the package instructions for cooking time, as it may vary depending on the brand. Rinse the cooked noodles with cold water to prevent them from sticking together.

Tips & Tricks

• For a spicier kick, add sliced fresh chili peppers or chili sauce to the broth.
• Customize your bowl by adding additional toppings such as sliced cucumbers, shredded carrots, or crushed peanuts.
• To save time, you can prepare the beef marinade in advance and refrigerate it overnight for even more flavor.
• If you prefer a milder lemongrass flavor, reduce the amount of lemongrass used in the marinade.
• Make a larger batch of the broth and freeze it for future use.

Serving advice

Serve the Lemongrass Beef Noodle Bowl hot, allowing the flavors to meld together. Squeeze fresh lime juice over the bowl just before eating to add a tangy brightness to the dish.

Presentation advice

To enhance the presentation, arrange the fresh herbs, bean sprouts, and lime wedges neatly on top of the bowl. Sprinkle some chili flakes or sliced chili peppers for an extra pop of color.