Pho (Pronouced "Fur" in Lao): Beef-lover style

This isn't a dish you want to make just for yourself. It's a lot of work, but much enjoyed by friends and families.

Approximate time required: 1hr
Serving: 4-6

What you'll need:

4 qts of water (or about 3/4 water in a 5 qt pot)
3 Tbsp Pho beef flavor paste
2 Tbsp oyster sauce
2 Tbsp soy sauce
1 Tbsp hoison sauce
1-2 lbs beef soup bone/neck bone/tail/etc
1 medium-size piece ginger (chopped)
1/2 onion (chopped)
1 Tbsp garlic (minced and optionally fried if you're a super chef!)
1 package Asian-style meatballs (sliced in halves)

1 package refrigerated ready to cook Pho rice noodles (optionally soak dried rice noodle in luke-warm water for about 1 hr)
1 lb beef (thinly sliced)
1/2 pack green onion (chopped)
1/2 pack cilantro (choped)
2-3 cups bean sprouts
1/2 pack basil leafs
1 lime (sliced)
1 tsp sugar (approximately per bowel)
Extra oyster sauce

Prepare the soup pot by adding everything from the first list in no perticular order, cover the pot, bring to boil, lower the heat and let simmer for 30 min to 1 hr.

While that's simmering prepare the other ingredients. Set aside bean sprouts, basil leafs, lime, sugar, green onion, cilantro, and extra oyster sauce as condiments. Slice the beef as thin as possible for fast cooking. After the pot has simmer for 30 min to 1 hr, take out the soup bone, slice off all the meat (should be nice and tender, coming off the bone easily), also set aside as optional condiments. Put the remaining bone back into the pot for extra flavor.

Now you're ready to bring the Pho to life! Place a small portion of sliced beef and noodle in a bowl or use a strainer and dip the two items into the boiling pot for about 5 sec. Add broth and meatball from the pot; be sure the noodles get submerged. Add the rest of the condiments according to taste (i.e. a pitch of green onion, cilantro, bean sprouts, basil leafs, 1 tsp sugar, slice of lime juice squeezed, boiled beef, extra oyster sauce if it's still a little blend), and mix it all up using a chop-stick/fork and spoon. Enjoy with fresh lettuce, Thai peppers, or other fresh veggies. *****WARNING***** The bowl will be very HOT, so be careful!