Star Anise Beef-Rice Noodle Soup

• 1 inch ginger sliced
• 3 each shallots
• 2 1/2 quarts water
• 1 1/2 pounds oxtails
• 1 pound beef shanks
• 1/4 cup fish sauce
• 1/2 pound rice noodles
• 1 small red onion thinly sliced
• 2 cups mung bean sprouts
• 1/2 cup cilantro chopped, to serve
• 1 each red chili peppers sliced, to serve, optional

1. Put ginger and shallots on a baking sheet; place under a hot broiler until charred.
2. In a stock pot, bring the water, oxtails and beef shank to a boil.
3. Thoroughly skim and discard the scum from the surface of the stock.
4. Drop the charred ingredients, star anise, cinnamon stick and cloves into pot, reduce to low heat; simmer for 2 hours.
5. Remove the meat.
6. Remove and shred the meat from the shank and reserve.
7. Return the bone to the simmering stock.
8. Simmer 1 hour longer.
9. When soup is done, remove and discard bones.
10. Strain and degrease stock; add fish sauce and salt.
11. Keep warm.
12. In a separate pot, bring 3 quarts water to a boil.
13. Drain noodles and add to boiling water; cook for 1 minute.
14. Drain in a colander.
15. Divide noodles among 8 soup bowls (about 1-to-2-cup-size bowls).
16. Divide and top each bowl of noodles with shredded cooked beef, onion slices and bean sprouts.
17. Ladle about 1 1/4 cups hot soup stock (this will cook the beef) to cover the noodles and beef, top with fresh coriander.
18. Serve with squeeze of lime and chiles.

ginger, shallots, water, oxtails, beef, fish sauce, rice noodles, red onion, bean sprouts, cilantro, red chili peppers

Taken from recipeland.com/recipe/v/star-anise-beef-rice-noodle-sou-46113 (may not work)