Bone broth pho with beef fillet

Bone broth pho with beef fillet: rich organic beef bone broth, wafer-thin beef fillet, ginger, courgette noodles, star anise, cinnamon, herbs and lime.

At a glance

• Serves 2
• Prep time: 15 min
• Cooking time: 20 min
• Total time: 35 min
• Calories: 340 kcal per serving
• Protein: 38 g
• Fat: 14 g
• Carbs: 12 g

Ingredients

• 150g raw beef fillet (wafer-thin)
• 1 litre very strong organic beef bone broth (dark)
• 1 thumb-sized piece of fresh ginger
• 1 medium courgette (spiralised into courgette noodles)
• 2 star anise & 1 cinnamon stick
• 1 large handful of Thai basil and coriander
• 1 squeeze of lime and a little fish sauce

Method

You’ll need: saucepan · chopping board · knife · mixing bowl · sieve

1. Bring the beef bone broth to the boil with the ginger, star anise and cinnamon, then leave it to infuse gently until aromatic.
2. Divide the courgette noodles between deep bowls. Slice the beef fillet wafer-thin and lay it on top.
3. Pour the broth through a sieve and bring it back to a high heat. It needs to be really hot so the meat cooks gently in the bowl.
4. Pour the hot broth over the courgette noodles and beef. This makes the fillet tender while keeping it juicy.
5. Season with fish sauce and 1 squeeze of lime. Then scatter over the Thai basil and coriander.
6. Serve the pho straight away, with a little extra lime at the table if you like.

Good to know

This pho is clear, warm and pleasantly light. It tastes deep and aromatic without feeling heavy. Just right when you want something comforting in a bowl.

Swaps

Beef fillet → thinly sliced roast beef or rump steak (more bite, usually cheaper) Courgette noodles → shirataki noodles or finely sliced white cabbage (very few carbs) Fish sauce → coconut aminos with a little salt (milder, fish-free) Lime → lemon juice or rice vinegar with nothing added (fresh acidity, well balanced)

Allergens

Fish sauce contains fish and usually a lot of salt, so use it sparingly for children. During pregnancy, cook the beef slices briefly in the simmering broth until no pink remains. Contains: fish.

Frequently asked questions

What does beef fillet provide nutritionally?

Beef fillet contains protein as well as vitamin B12, zinc, selenium and haem iron. Iron and B12 in particular are typical nutrients from animal foods.

What does bone broth actually contain?

Depending on how it's made, bone broth can contain gelatine-rich components from the bones and connective tissue. How much actually ends up in your bowl varies a lot, so there's no reliable general figure.

What's in ginger and star anise?

Ginger contains typical pungent compounds such as gingerols, and star anise mainly essential oils with anethole. Both mainly contribute flavour and plant compounds, but no large amounts of classic vitamins or minerals.

How do courgette noodles compare with classic rice noodles?

Courgettes provide much less starch, but a little fibre, potassium, folate and water-soluble vitamins instead. Rice noodles mainly bring carbohydrates and usually taste more neutral.

Why does lime suit beef, nutritionally?

Lime provides vitamin C.

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