Quick Star-Anise Beef Noodle Bowls

Thinly sliced beef chuck finishes in clear bone broth scented with charred ginger, onion, and star anise, ladled over rice noodles. It echoes Star Anise Over Dawn Broth, when Hanoi’s sidewalks before the garrison bugle already smelled of beef bone and first light.

Serves 2

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Ingredients

• 8 oz beef chuck
• 6 oz rice noodles
• 1 lb beef bones
• 1 large yellow onion
• 3-inch piece fresh ginger
• 3 star anise pods
• 2 tbsp fish sauce
• 1/2 cup fresh basil leaves
• 1 lime
• 6 cups water

Instructions

1. 1Halve the onion and ginger, char them in a dry skillet over high heat until blackened on all sides.
2. 2In a large pot combine water, beef bones, charred onion and ginger, star anise, and cinnamon stick; bring to a boil then simmer 15 minutes.
3. 3Thinly slice the beef chuck against the grain and cook briefly in the simmering broth until just done.
4. 4Cook rice noodles according to package directions, drain, and divide into bowls; ladle hot broth and beef over noodles.
5. 5Top with thinly sliced onion, fresh basil, cilantro, and a squeeze of lime before serving.