Tet Phở Feast (Vietnamese Beef Noodle Soup)

• 1.2 kg Beef marrow bones, cut into sections
• 700 g Beef brisket, in one piece
• 2 medium Yellow onion
• 120 g Ginger root, unpeeled
• 5 pieces Star anise
• 2 pieces Cinnamon sticks
• 6 pieces Whole cloves
• 30 g Rock sugar
• 60 ml Fish sauce
• 400 g Rice noodles, flat
• 300 g Beef sirloin steak, well chilled
• 200 g Bean sprouts
• 20 g Fresh Thai basil
• 20 g Fresh coriander
• 2 pieces Lime
• 4.5 liters Water
• 2 tsp Fine sea salt

1. Put the beef marrow bones in a stockpot, cover with water, bring to the boil and boil hard for 10 minutes to blanch. Tip into a colander, rinse the bones well, then rinse and wipe out the pot. This keeps the broth clear.
2. Heat the oven to 220°C (430°F). Halve the onions and split the ginger lengthways, then roast on a tray for 20 to 25 minutes until well charred at the edges. Set aside.
3. Return the blanched bones to the pot with the brisket, water and salt, then bring to a gentle simmer. Skim any foam for the first 20 minutes, then keep the broth at a bare simmer so it stays clear. Cook for 1 hour.
4. Add the charred onion and ginger, plus the star anise, cinnamon sticks and cloves. Simmer gently for 1 hour, skimming occasionally and topping up with a little water if needed to keep everything submerged. The broth should smell fragrant and look clear.
5. Lift out the brisket and rest it for 10 minutes, then slice thinly across the grain. Strain the broth into a clean pot, discarding the solids, then stir in the rock sugar and fish sauce. Keep the broth at a gentle simmer while you prepare the bowls.
6. Cook the rice noodles in boiling water until just tender, then drain well. Slice the beef sirloin steak as thinly as you can. Divide the noodles between bowls and top with brisket, raw sirloin, bean sprouts, Thai basil and coriander.
7. Bring the broth back to a lively simmer, then ladle it over each bowl so the sirloin turns just cooked. Serve straight away with lime wedges for squeezing at the table. Taste and adjust with a little more fish sauce if you like.

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