Fragrant Vietnamese Noodle Soup

Fragrant Vietnamese Noodle Soup

                                                    Contributed by, The Lazy Asian Chef

You guys know I like to keep recipes simple and fresh.  This noodle soup is extremely fragrant, delicate and excellent for your belly.  My husband cooks this a lot during the winter because it’s friendly for all my food intolerances! 

Keep in mind, a lot of the recipes I send you give you leniency to play around with the spices and flavors.  My one wish is that through these recipes, you discover new techniques, spices and flavor combinations.  Maybe you don’t love them all but at least you are adventurous and stepping out of your comfort zone!

Ingredients for Broth

8 qt Water                                                                   

2 Star Anise

3 Cinnamon Sticks

1 tbl Whole Clove

3 Bay Leaves

1 tbl black peppercorns

1 tbl coriander seeds

1 tbl salt

3 garlic cloves

1 yellow onion, halved and charred

2-3 inches ginger, slightly crushed and charred

Meat bones (Beef, Chicken, or Pork - As much as you're willing to spend)
Gluten Free Rice Noodles (cook as is on package!)

Simmer low and slow.  Overnight to wake up to an amazing aroma.

Condiments/Toppings - ***  Remember, all these toppings are to your taste!  Add as much or as little as you would like.  PLAY around and don’t be scared!  Remember the heat of the broth poured over them will wilt and cook them.. that’s okay!

Cilantro -  I may have an addiction to Cilantro.  I take the leaves off the stem (the stems are a bit bitter, the texture is weird AND they give me gas.  What??  Just sayin’)

Sliced Green Onions

White onion

Asian Basil – ( I purchase mine at the local Asian market, it’s so much cheaper!!)

Beansprouts – A TON!  The heat of the soup will slightly cook them.

Siriracha Sauce

Gluten Free Hoisin

Juice of 1 Lime

BONUS FOR THE Adventurer in you!

If you are a meat eating human, you MUST give this a go!  Add ox tail to the broth.  When broth is done, pick the meat from all the bones (the meat you want to eat that is) but leave the oxtail whole.  Put into a different contain and use as you want. 

Heat the meat including the oxtail in your broth when you re heat your soup.  How do you eat ox tail??  Things will get messy but the messier the better!

Take a bit of ox tail meat, wrap some Asian basil around it and dip it in hoisin sauce!  My mouth is watering Now!