Phở Cuốn with Grilled Beef and Fresh Herbs

Ingredients

• 200g (7 oz) rice noodles 200g (7 oz) rice noodles
• 300g (10.5 oz) beef sirloin, thinly sliced 300g (10.5 oz) beef sirloin, thinly sliced
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• 1 cucumber, julienned 1 cucumber, julienned
• 1 carrot, julienned 1 carrot, julienned
• 1 cup bean sprouts 1 cup bean sprouts
• 1 cup fresh herbs (Thai basil, mint, cilantro) 1 cup fresh herbs (Thai basil, mint, cilantro)
• 8-10 rice paper wrappers 8-10 rice paper wrappers
• Dipping sauce: Dipping sauce:
• 3 tablespoons fish sauce 3 tablespoons fish sauce
• 2 tablespoons lime juice 2 tablespoons lime juice
• 2 tablespoons water 2 tablespoons water
• 1 tablespoon sugar 1 tablespoon sugar
• 1 garlic clove, minced 1 garlic clove, minced
• 1 small chili, minced (optional) 1 small chili, minced (optional)

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 320 kcal / 1340 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 8g, 2g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 40g, 5g
• Protein: 24g
• Fiber: 4g
• Salt: 2.5g

Preparation

1. 1.
   Cook the rice noodles according to package instructions. Drain and rinse with cold water. Set aside.
2. 2.
   Preheat a grill or grill pan over medium-high heat. Brush the beef slices with vegetable oil and grill for 2-3 minutes per side, or until cooked to your desired doneness. Remove from heat and let it rest for a few minutes before slicing into thin strips.
3. 3.
   Prepare a large bowl of warm water. Dip one rice paper wrapper into the water for a few seconds until it becomes pliable. Place it on a clean surface.
4. 4.
   Arrange a small portion of rice noodles, grilled beef, cucumber, carrot, bean sprouts, and fresh herbs in the center of the rice paper wrapper.
5. 5.
   Fold the sides of the wrapper over the filling, then roll it tightly from bottom to top, similar to a burrito. Repeat with the remaining ingredients.
6. 6.
   For the dipping sauce, whisk together fish sauce, lime juice, water, sugar, minced garlic, and minced chili (if using) until the sugar is dissolved.
7. 7.
   Serve the Phở Cuốn with the dipping sauce on the side.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Rice noodles — Make sure not to overcook the rice noodles to maintain their chewy texture.
• Beef sirloin — For tender and juicy beef, slice it thinly against the grain before grilling.
• Rice paper wrappers — Dip the rice paper wrappers in warm water just until they become pliable, as they will continue to soften as you assemble the rolls.
• Fresh herbs — Use a combination of Thai basil, mint, and cilantro for an authentic Vietnamese flavor profile.
• Dipping sauce — Adjust the amount of chili according to your spice preference.

Tips & Tricks

• To prevent the rice paper wrappers from sticking together, place a damp kitchen towel between each layer.
• Customize the filling by adding cooked shrimp, grilled chicken, or tofu for a vegetarian option.
• For extra flavor, marinate the beef in a mixture of soy sauce, garlic, and ginger before grilling.
• Serve the Phở Cuốn with a side of hoisin sauce or peanut sauce for additional dipping options.
• To save time, prepare the dipping sauce in advance and refrigerate until ready to serve.

Serving advice

Serve the Phở Cuốn as an appetizer or a light meal. Arrange the rolls on a platter and garnish with extra fresh herbs. Place the dipping sauce in individual bowls or small saucers for each guest.

Presentation advice

Arrange the Phở Cuốn rolls on a serving platter in a neat and visually appealing manner. Garnish with sprigs of fresh herbs and serve with the dipping sauce on the side. The vibrant colors of the fresh herbs and vegetables will make the dish visually enticing.