Easy Short Rib Pho

Ingredients

• 8 ounces rice noodles
• 12 ounces beef sirloin
• 1 onion, sliced
• 1 piece ginger, 3-by-1 inches, peeled and kept whole
• 3 cups beef broth
• 5 star anise pods
• 1 cinnamon stick
• 5 scallions, chopped
• 2 jalapeno peppers, seeded and chopped
• 1/2 cup cilantro, chopped
• 3 tablespoons fish sauce
• 1 cup fresh spinach
• 1 cup bean sprouts
• 1 teaspoon oil

Preparation

1. Cook the rice noodles as the package suggests. Drain, and set aside.
2. Heat a large pot with oil until hot. Season the beef with salt and pepper, and sear until browned, 2-3 minutes per side. Set aside, and thinly slice when cooled.
3. Add onion and ginger to the same pot, and cook until softened, about 5 minutes.
4. Add beef broth, 3 cups of water, star anise and cinnamon to pot, and simmer for 20 minutes.
5. Add the fish sauce to the broth, and discard the ginger, star anise, and cinnamon.
6. Add the spinach to the soup, and remove from heat.
7. Place noodles in bowls, and top with broth, thinly sliced beef, scallions, cilantro, bean sprouts and jalapenos.