Bò Kho (Vietnamese-Style Beef Stew With Lemongrass, Ginger, and Garlic)

Ingredients

• ½ cups finely chopped ginger
• ¼ cups plus 2 Tbsp. fish sauce
• ¼ cups plus 1 Tbsp. sugar
• ¼ cups finely chopped garlic (about 10 cloves)
• 6 lemongrass stalks, 3 finely chopped (¼ cup), 3 cut into 4-in. pieces and smashed
• 2 lb. oxtail, cut into 3-in. pieces
• 2 lb. boneless short ribs, cut into 2-in. pieces
• ¼ cups vegetable oil
• 6 cups beef stock
• ¼ cups plus 2 Tbsp. tomato paste
• 6 makrut lime leaves
• 5 medium shallots, coarsely chopped
• 4 star anise pods
• 3 lb. carrots, peeled and cut into 1-by-3-in. pieces
• 1 medium sweet onion, coarsely chopped
• Freshly ground black pepper
• Wide phở noodles (optional)
• Thinly sliced red onion
• Coarsely chopped scallions
• Cilantro sprigs
• Thai basil
• Lime wedges
• Crusty bread (optional)