- 1 pound very lean sirloin of beef, trimmed of visible fat
- 1/4 pound Chinese or Vietnamese rice noodles (banh pho)
- 3 cups homemade beef stock
- 3 tablespoons Asian fish sauce (nam pla)
- 1 1/3 cups fresh bean sprouts
- Optional Accompaniments:
- 1 small onion, peeled and very thinly sliced
- 4 scallions, trimmed and very thinly sliced
- 2 Thai chile peppers, very thinly sliced crosswise
- 1/3 cup fresh cilantro leaves or Thai basil, coarsely chopped
- Asian hot-chile sauce
- Wrap beef in plastic wrap, and place in the freezer for about 1 hour.
- Meanwhile, fill a large bowl with cold water; add rice noodles. Let soak until soft, about 30 minutes. Drain; set aside.
- Combine beef stock, 1 1/2 cups water, and fish sauce in a large saucepan, and set over medium-high heat.
- Remove beef from freezer. Using a mandoline or a very sharp knife, slice beef into very thin (1/8 inch) strips.
- Divide noodles among six serving bowls, and arrange strips of meat over them. Raise heat under stock, and bring to a boil. Pour boiling stock over meat and noodles, pushing beef into hot liquid so that it cooks. Arrange bean sprouts and other accompaniments over beef and noodles; serve immediately with Asian chile sauce, if desired.