Canh Thit Xao Sa (Beef Soup with Lemon Grass )

 
      
 
      1    Stalk fresh lemon grass or
      1 tb Dried Lemon Grass
           Sprinkling of freshly
           -ground black pepper
      2 ts Fish sauce (nuoc mam)
      1    Clove garlic, chopped
      6 oz Fatty beef chuck, sliced
           -paper thin
      1 ts Vegetable oil
      2    Shallots or white part of 2
           -scallions, sliced
      3 c  Water
  1 1/2    Beef bouillon cubes
      1 ts Salt
      1 tb Fresh coriander (Chinese
           -parsley), chopped
      2    Scallions, green part only,
           -chopped
 
  Here's a pretty simple Vietnamese beef soup recipe in contrast to the
  recipe for Hanoi Beef Soup.  It doesn't call for hot chilies, but you
  can slice a couple into thin rounds and toss 'em in.  That's kosher
  (if that term can apply...) with any Vietnamese soup.  Add 'em either
  when the soup is brought to it's final boil or just after it's
  removed from the heat.
  
  If you are using fresh lemon grass, simply remove the outer leaves and
  upper two-thirds of the stalk, then chop.  If you are using dried, it
  must be soaked for 2 hours, then drained and chopped fine.
  
  Sprinkle the black pepper, 1 teaspoon of the fish sauce, and chopped
  garlic over the meat; mix well and allow the meat to absorb the
  flavors for a few minutes.
  
  Heat the oil and fry the shallots over a high flame.  Add the lemon
  grass and fry for about 1 minute, then add the meat.  Cook until all
  traces of redness are gone.  Add the water, bring to a boil, and add
  the beef bouillon cubes, remaining 1 teaspoon fish sauce, and salt.
  Immediately before serving, bring the soup to a boil.  Pour into
  bowls and sprinkle with the chopped coriander and scallion.