Beef Noodle Soup

Ingredients

• 2 ¹/₂ pounds beef short ribs, cut between bones into pieces
• 7 cups water
• ¹/₃ cup soy sauce
• ¹/₄ cup Scotch or medium-dry Sherry
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• six ¹/₄-inch-thick diagonal slices fresh gingerroot
• 8 scallions, trimmed
• 3 large garlic cloves, chopped
• a 3-inch cinnamon stick
• 1 teaspoon aniseed
• ¹/₄ teaspoon dried hot red pepper flakes
• ¹/₂ pound turnips, peeled and cut into 3/4-inch cubes
• 6 ounces egg noodles
• 1 teaspoon Asian (toasted) sesame oil if desired

Cooking Instructions

1. In a heavy kettle (at least 5 quarts) combine short ribs, water, soy sauce, Scotch, and sugar and bring to a boil.
2. Reduce to a simmer and skim froth.
3. Add gingerroot, 5 scallions, garlic, cinnamon, aniseed, and pepper flakes and simmer, covered for 2 hours.
4. Remove meat from kettle and chop, discarding fat and bones.
5. Strain broth through a fine sieve into a large saucepan and add chopped meat.
6. Add turnips and simmer for 10 minutes.
7. Add noodles and simmer for another 10 minutes.
8. Slice remaining 3 scallions thin and stir into soup. Stir in sesame oil then serve.