Categories: Meats 
      Yield: 1 servings 
  
      5 lb Beef bones with marrow 
      5 lb Oxtails 
      2 lb Short rib plate, or 1 lb 
           -flank steak 
      2 lg Onions, unpeeled, halved 
           -and studded with 8 whole 
           -cloves 
      3    Shallots, unpeeled 
      2 oz Fresh ginger root, unpeeled 
           -in one piece 
      8    Star anise 
      1    Cinnamon stick 
      4 md Parsnips, cut into 2-inch 
           -chunks 
      2 ts Salt 
      1 lb Beef sirloin 
      2    Scallions, thinly sliced 
      1 tb Shredded coriander 
      2 md Onions, sliced paper-thin 
    1/4 c  Hot chili sauce (tuong ot 
           -or sriracha sauce) 
      1 lb 1/4-inch-wide dried rice 
           -sticks (banh pho) 
    1/2 c  Nuoc mam (Vietnamese fish 
           -sauce) 
           Freshly ground black pepper 
 
-------------------------------ACCOMPANIMENTS------------------------------- 
      2 c  Fresh bean sprouts 
      2    Fresh red chile peppers, 
           -sliced 
      2    Limes, cut into wedges 
      1 bn Of fresh mint, separated 
           -into leaves 
      1 bn Fresh Asian basil * 
           * or regular fresh basil, 
           -separated into leaves 
  
  In order to cut the beef into paper-thin slices, freeze the pieces of 
  meat for 30 minutes before slicing. 
   
  The night before, clean the bones under cold running water and soak 
  overnight in a pot with water to cover at room temperature.  (This 
  will help loosen the impurities inside the bones.  When heat is 
  applied, these impurities are released and come to the top much 
  faster and can be removed, therefore, producing a clear broth.) 
   
  Place the beef bones, oxtails and short rib plate in a large 
  stockpot. Add water to cover and bring to a boil.  Cook for 10 
  minutes. Drain. Rinse the pot and the bones. 
   
  Return the bones to the pot and add 6 quarts of water.  Bring to a 
  boil. Skim the surface to remove the foam and fat.  Stir the bones in 
  the bottom of the pot from time to time to free the impurities. 
  Continue skimming until the foam ceases to rise.  Add 3 quarts more 
  water and bring to a boil.  Skim off all the residue that forms on 
  the top. Turn the heat to low and simmer. 
   
  Meanwhile, char the clove-studded onions, shallots and ginger 
  directly over a gas burner or under the broiler until they release 
  their fragrant odors. Tie the charred vegetables, star anise and 
  cinnamon stick in a double thickness of dampened cheesecloth.  Add 
  the spice bag, parsnips and salt to the simmering broth.  Simmer for 
  1 hour. 
   
  Remove the short rib plates.  Pull the meat away from the bones. 
  Reserve the meat and return the bones to the pot.  Simmer the broth, 
  uncovered, for 4 to 5 hours.  Keep an eye on it; as the liquid boils 
  away, add enough fresh water to cover the bones. 
   
  Meanwhile, slice the beef sirloin against the grain into paper-thin 
  slices, roughly 2 by 2-inches in size.  Slice the reserved short rib 
  meat paper-thin.  Set aside. 
   
  In a small bowl, combine the scallions, coriander and half of the 
  slice onions.  Place the remaining sliced onions in a small bowl and 
  stir in the hot chili sauce.  Blend well. 
   
  Soak the rice sticks in warm water for 30 minutes.  Drain and set 
  aside. 
   
  When the broth is ready, remove and discard all of the bones. Strain 
  the broth through a strainer or colander lined with a double layer of 
  dampened cheesecloth into a clean pot.  Add the fish sauce and bring 
  the broth to a boil.  Reduce the heat and keep the broth at a bare 
  simmer. 
   
  In another pot, bring 4 quarts of water to a boil.  Drain the 
  noodles, then drop them in the boiling water.  Drain immediately. 
  Divide the noodles among 4 large soup bowls.  Top the noodles with 
  the sliced meats. bring the broth to a rolling boil.  Ladle the broth 
  directly over the meat in each bowl (the boiling broth will cook the 
  raw beef instantly). Garnish with the scallion mixture and freshly 
  ground black pepper. 
   
  Serve the onions in hot chili sauce and the accompaniments on the 
  side. Each diner will add these ingredients as desired. Yield: 4 
  servings.