Phở Xào with Lemongrass Beef

Ingredients

• 250g (8.8 oz) beef sirloin, thinly sliced 250g (8.8 oz) beef sirloin, thinly sliced
• 2 stalks lemongrass, white parts only, finely minced 2 stalks lemongrass, white parts only, finely minced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 200g (7 oz) rice noodles 200g (7 oz) rice noodles
• 1 red bell pepper, thinly sliced 1 red bell pepper, thinly sliced
• 1 carrot, julienned 1 carrot, julienned
• 1 cup bean sprouts 1 cup bean sprouts
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• Fresh cilantro and Thai basil, for garnish Fresh cilantro and Thai basil, for garnish
• Lime wedges, for serving Lime wedges, for serving

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 320 kcal / 1340 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 10g, 2g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 35g, 3g
• Protein: 24g
• Fiber: 4g
• Salt: 1.5g

Preparation

1. 1.
   In a bowl, combine the sliced beef, minced lemongrass, minced garlic, and soy sauce. Mix well and let it marinate for at least 30 minutes.
2. 2.
   Cook the rice noodles according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.
3. 3.
   Heat the vegetable oil in a wok or large skillet over high heat. Add the marinated beef and stir-fry for 2-3 minutes until cooked to your desired doneness. Remove the beef from the wok and set aside.
4. 4.
   In the same wok, add the sliced bell pepper and julienned carrot. Stir-fry for 2-3 minutes until slightly softened.
5. 5.
   Add the cooked rice noodles and bean sprouts to the wok. Stir-fry for another 2 minutes until well combined.
6. 6.
   Return the cooked beef to the wok and toss everything together for a final minute of cooking.
7. 7.
   Serve the Phở Xào hot, garnished with fresh cilantro and Thai basil. Squeeze lime wedges over the dish before eating.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Lemongrass — To release the aromatic oils, bruise the lemongrass stalks with the back of a knife before mincing.
• Rice noodles — Make sure to soak the rice noodles in hot water until they are soft but still slightly firm to the bite. Overcooking them can result in a mushy texture.

Tips & Tricks

• For a spicier kick, add sliced chili peppers or a drizzle of sriracha sauce.
• Customize the vegetables to your liking by adding mushrooms, snow peas, or baby corn.
• To enhance the flavors, you can add a splash of fish sauce or oyster sauce during the stir-frying process.
• If you prefer a vegetarian version, substitute the beef with tofu or tempeh.
• Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.

Serving advice

Serve Phở Xào hot as a main course. It can be enjoyed on its own or accompanied by a side of steamed jasmine rice.

Presentation advice

To enhance the presentation, arrange the stir-fried noodles and beef on a large platter and garnish with a generous amount of fresh herbs. Serve with lime wedges on the side for squeezing over the dish.