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1
Place a heavy-bottomed soup pot over medium-high heat.
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2
Add the peanut oil, and swirl to coat.
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3
When oil is hot, add the onion and cook for 5 minutes, stirring, until softened and lightly browned.
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4
Add all the aromatics (ginger, lemon grass, cinnamon, star anise, cloves, coriander, fennel, dry chiles and turmeric) and stir to distribute.
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5
Add the sugar and let everything fry lightly, until sugar begins to caramelize, about 2 minutes.
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6
Add the soy sauce, fish sauce and broth.
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7
Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to a gentle simmer.
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8
Cook for 30 minutes.
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9
Strain, discarding solids.
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10
Season to taste with the salt and a generous amount of pepper.
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11
(May be prepared several hours ahead.)
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12
Soak the rice noodles: Put the rice vermicelli in a large bowl.
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13
Cover with boiling water.
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14
Stir noodles as they soften.
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15
Soak for about 20 minutes until tender.
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16
Cool in a colander under running water and drain.
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17
Reserve at room temperature.
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18
To serve, bring soup to a brisk simmer.
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19
Add the mussels and put on the lid.
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20
Cook 2 minutes, until mussels have opened.
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21
Add the squid, stir to combine and cook 30 seconds more.
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22
Turn off heat.
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23
Divide rice noodles among 4 large soup bowls.
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24
Ladle soup into bowls.
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25
Sprinkle with the cilantro, scallions and Thai basil.
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26
Pass the fresh chiles and lime wedges separately.