Buzz
Being a fervent enthusiast of beef pho, how could one possibly overlook the delightful beef flank pho with its sweet meat and flavorful broth? On days when dashing out for a quick bowl of pho is not an option, the only way is to dive into the kitchen and cook yourself a perfect bowl of authentic beef flank pho. Below are the foolproof secrets to cooking irresistible pho compiled by Mytour.
1. What is Beef Flank? Tips for Buying Quality Beef Flank
'Give me a bowl of rare beef flank' is a familiar order at the pho stalls around Hanoi. For beef pho enthusiasts, rare beef flank is often considered the essence of pho cuisine. However, not everyone knows what beef flank is. Which part of the cow does it come from?
Image: Collected
Beef flank is situated near the brisket, stretching from the chest to below the cow's neck. Beef flank has a slightly chewy texture as it is a muscle that undergoes significant chewing and swallowing during the cow's feeding process. Beef flank is divided into 2 types: soft flank and crispy flank. A distinguishing feature of beef flank is the alternating layers of fat, so when slices of beef flank are blanched in boiling water, they become lightly fatty and very fragrant.
To buy good quality beef flank, you need to pay attention to the following characteristics:
- The flank should have a fresh red color, a fragrant smell, and no odor.
- Avoid choosing beef flank with too much tendon or fat.
- Standard beef flank has a relatively equal amount of fat and tendon.
- The difference between brisket and beef flank is that brisket has small soft tendons, while flank typically has thick fat lines.
Image: Collected
2. Guide to Cooking Delicious Restaurant-Style Beef Flank Pho
Homemade beef flank pho ensures a quick, convenient, and delicious meal just like dining out. Let's get cooking beef flank pho for your beloved family right now!
Preparing Ingredients for Beef Flank Pho
- 500 grams beef bones
- 1 kg beef flank
- 500 grams beef tenderloin
- 1 kg pho noodles
- 2 pieces star anise
- 1 quince
- 1 cinnamon stick
- Fresh ginger
- Red onions
- Cilantro
- Lime
- Fresh chili
- Shallots
- Seasonings: sugar, fish sauce, pepper…
How to Cook Delicious Authentic Pho
Step 1: Prepare the Beef Flank
- Thoroughly wash the beef flank and beef bones with water, then blanch them in boiling water to remove impurities and foam. Rinse once more with clean water.
- Place the beef flank and beef bones in the same pot with water and a tablespoon of seasoning. When the beef flank is cooked, remove it and set aside. Continue simmering the beef bones for another 30 minutes to enhance the broth.
- Once the beef flank has cooled, use a sharp knife to slice it thinly and arrange it neatly on a plate.
Image: Collection
Step 2: Prepare the Pho Broth
Roast fresh ginger, red onions, star anise, quince, and cinnamon on the stove to release their fragrant aroma. Scrape off any burnt parts from the ginger and red onions. Crush the quince.
Once the beef bone broth has simmered, add the prepared ingredients to the pot and continue simmering for about 15 minutes. This process ensures the broth has the characteristic flavors of pho.
Season the broth with sugar, fish sauce, and a dash of MSG to round out the flavor.
Image: Nga Le Hang
Step 3: Prepare the Ingredients
Clean the lime and chili peppers. Cut the lime into wedges and slice the chili peppers into small pieces to garnish the dish. Adjust the seasoning according to personal preference.
Image: Nga Le Hang
It's recommended to add some crispy fried dough sticks, they complement the pho perfectly.
The spring onions and cilantro should also be thoroughly washed and drained before being cut into sections. As for the white onions, slice them lengthwise.
Step 4: Presenting the Dish
Boil a pot of water in step 1 to quickly blanch the fresh pho noodles and then place them into a large bowl. Add thinly sliced beef flank and finely chopped scallions into the bowl. Pour the boiling broth over the pho noodles in the large bowl. Finally, enjoy the fragrant and delicious beef flank pho while it's still piping hot.
The finished product meets the requirements
Image: Nga Le Hang
The aromatic slices of beef flank soak up the rich and creamy broth. The silky smooth pho noodles are incredibly enticing. The fragrance of star anise, cinnamon, and herbs enhances the broth, giving it a deep and authentic flavor just like in restaurants. The broth has a perfect clarity with a hint of beef fat, but it's not overpowering.
3. Essential Tips for Cooking Authentic Pho
Even when cooking at home, a delicious bowl of pho adds warmth and love to family meals. To impress your diners, consider the following tips when making tasty beef flank pho.
- When preparing the broth for pho, it's best to buy oxtail or spine bones. These types contain fat which effectively sweetens the broth. Beef marrow is also a good alternative.
- Instead of using salt, opt for fish sauce to season the broth for a savory-sweet taste.
- To ensure clear and flavorful broth, pay attention to meticulous bone preparation.
- During simmering, limit skimming the foam continuously. If you need to add more water to the bone broth, use boiling water to avoid using cold water.
- If the pho broth becomes greasy due to marrow, you can balance it out by adding sugarcane for sweetness.
Although beef flank pho is easy to please, it can be challenging to make the broth. However, with the recipe provided by Mytour Blog, the cooking process doesn't take much time, yet yields a delicious and aromatic bowl of pho for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. Hopefully, these shared tips have provided you with valuable insights to create a flavorful bowl of beef flank pho!
Explore more delicious recipes:
- How to Cook Beef Tendon in Red Wine Sauce
- Recipe for Perfectly Cooked Beef Pho
