Spicy Beef Noodle Soup
A bowl of noodles in a nicely spiced broth topped with tender beef cubes, Spicy Beef Noodle Soup is hot, fragrant and very comforting indeed.
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoon oil
- 6 slices ginger
- 16 cups cold water (3.8L)
- 5 star anise
- 2 heads garlic (peeled)
- 1/4 cup Shaoxing wine
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 4 bay leaves
- 1 to 2 tablespoons Sichuan peppercorns
- 1/2 cup light soy sauce
- 1/4 cup spicy bean paste
- 1 large piece of dried tangerine peel
- 3 scallions (washed and cut in half)
- 3 lbs beef chuck (1.3 kg, cut into 1 1/2 inch chunks)
- 1 large onion (cut into chunks)
- 1 large tomato (cut into small chunks)
- fresh or dried wheat noodles of your choice
- Chopped scallion and cilantro (to garnish)
Instructions
First, you will need two large jars to prepare this recipe. Fill a large pot with 16 cups of cold water. Add the ginger, green onions, Shaoxing wine and pieces of beef. Cover and bring to a boil. Immediately lower the heat and simmer for 10 minutes. After that, turn off the heat and set aside.
Then, heat the oil in another pot or large wok over medium-low heat and add the Sichuan peppercorns, garlic cloves, onion, star anise and bay leaves. Cook until the garlic cloves and onion pieces begin to soften (about 5 to 10 minutes). Stir in the spicy bean paste. Then add the tomatoes and cook for 2 minutes. Finally, add the light soy sauce and sugar. Put out the fire.
Now, let's remove the beef, ginger and green onions from the first pot and transfer them to the second pot. Then pour the broth through a fine mesh strainer. Place the saucepan over high heat and add the tangerine zest. Cover and bring the soup to a boil. Immediately lower the heat to a simmer and cook for 60 to 90 minutes.
After simmering, turn off the heat, but keep the lid on and let the pot sit on the stovetop (with the heat turned off) for another full hour for the flavors to blend. Your soup base is ready. Remember to bring the soup to a boil again before serving. Optionally, choose the beef and filter the soup if you want to remove the spices and herbs from the broth.
Cook your noodles in a separate saucepan according to package directions and divide them among your serving bowls (you can get 8 generous servings from your pot of soup and beef). Top bowls with hot broth, beef, green onions and cilantro. Serve very hot!
Happy Cooking Time.
