Pho I

Description
Pho is a vietnamese soup called also Vietnamese Beef & Rice-Noodle Soup.

Ingredients
Broth
 * 4 lbs oxtails, cut into 1 1/2 to 2 inch pieces and trimmed of fat
 * 1 piece ginger, unpeeled (3 inch)
 * 1 large onion, halved and unpeeled
 * 1/3 cup nuoc nam (fish sauce)
 * 8 whole star anise
 * 5 whole cloves
 * 3 inches cinnamon sticks
 * 1 teaspoon fennel seeds
 * 3 bay leaves

Garnish
 * 1 lb rice noodles (1/4 inch)
 * 2 bunches scallions, sliced thin
 * 1/2 cup tightly packed fresh cilantro leaves, roughly chopped
 * 1/2 cup parsley, roughly chopped
 * 1/2 cup basil, whole fresh plants
 * 1 1/2 cups mung bean sprouts
 * 3 large limes, cut into wedges and red chile paste or sliced fresh hot chili peppers (optional)
 * 3/4 lb filet mignon, trimmed of fat and sliced very thin

Directions
Boil the oxtails with water, skim the scum from the surface. Prepare ginger and onion and char them. Mix the ingredients and boil them. Serve the soup with platters and garnish.