Pho

Pho is a traditional Vietnamese noodle soup that is known for its flavorful broth, tender rice noodles, and an array of garnishes. It typically features a combination of beef or chicken, herbs, and spices. Here’s a basic recipe for making beef pho:

Ingredients for the Broth:

• 2-3 pounds beef bones (such as oxtail or beef marrow bones)
• 1 large onion, peeled and halved
• 3-inch piece of ginger, sliced
• 5-6 star anise pods
• 2 cinnamon sticks
• 5-6 cloves
• 1 tablespoon coriander seeds
• 1 teaspoon fennel seeds
• 4-5 cardamom pods
• 6 cups water
• 1 tablespoon fish sauce
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• Salt, to taste

Ingredients for the Pho Bowl:

• Rice noodles (enough for the desired number of servings)
• Thinly sliced beef (such as sirloin or flank steak)
• Bean sprouts
• Fresh herbs (such as Thai basil, cilantro, or mint)
• Lime wedges
• Thinly sliced chili peppers (optional)
• Hoisin sauce and Sriracha (optional)

Instructions:

1. Start by preparing the broth. Place the beef bones, onion, and ginger on a baking sheet and broil them on high for about 10-15 minutes until they become charred and aromatic. This step helps enhance the flavor of the broth.
2. In a large pot, add the charred bones, onion, ginger, star anise pods, cinnamon sticks, cloves, coriander seeds, fennel seeds, and cardamom pods. Toast the spices for a few minutes until fragrant.
3. Pour in the water and bring the pot to a boil. Reduce the heat to low and let it simmer for at least 3-4 hours, or even longer if possible. Skim off any impurities that rise to the surface during simmering.
4. After simmering, strain the broth through a fine-mesh sieve to remove the solids. Return the strained broth to the pot and discard the solids.
5. Season the broth with fish sauce, sugar, and salt to taste. Adjust the seasoning as needed.
6. Prepare the rice noodles according to the package instructions. Drain them and set them aside.
7. Thinly slice the beef and any additional toppings you want to include, such as chili peppers.
8. To assemble the pho bowls, place a portion of cooked rice noodles in a bowl. Top it with some thinly sliced beef.
9. Ladle the hot broth over the noodles and beef, ensuring they are fully submerged. The hot broth will partially cook the beef.
10. Serve the pho bowls with a platter of fresh bean sprouts, herbs, lime wedges, sliced chili peppers, hoisin sauce, and Sriracha on the side. Each person can customize their bowl with their preferred garnishes.
11. Enjoy the pho while it’s hot, and don’t forget to sip on the flavorful broth along with the noodles and toppings.