Authentic Vietnamese Pho

Leo’s take: Pho is something that may look very hard to make but after trying out this recipe you will realize that it’s quite simple, however does take a while. Delicious foods always come to those who wait. Definitely my go-to soup.

Ingredients:

Broth:

• 5 pounds beef bone (knuckle and marrow)

• 5.5qt water

• 2 large yellow onions

• 1 large whole piece of ginger

• 5 cloves, toasted

• 6-star anise, toasted

• 5 black cardamom pods

• 1/3 cup coriander seeds, toasted

• 1 cinnamon stick, toasted

• 1/4 cup fish sauce

• 1.5 tablespoons brown sugar

• Stems from 1 bunch of cilantro

• More fish sauce and brown sugar (to taste)

For The Bowls:

• Cooked Rice Noodles

• Thinly sliced flank steak

• Thinly sliced Thai chilies

• Thinly sliced yellow or white onion

• Thai basil

• Cilantro

• Mint

Instructions:

Broth:

1. Start by placing the bones on a foil-lined baking sheet and spray with cooking oil. Roast in a 425F oven for 35 minutes.

2. Set the aromatics (ginger and onions) onto a foil-lined baking sheet, coat in oil, and put under the broiler for 10 minutes.

3. Add all the bones to a large stockpot covered with cold water. Let sit for 5 minutes.

4. Place on the stove and slowly bring to a simmer. Skim off any scum and foam.

5. Once simmering, add in the onions, ginger, cloves, star anise, cardamom pods, coriander seeds, cinnamon stick, fish sauce, and brown sugar. Mix to combine then let simmer uncovered for ~4 hours.

6. Remove all the bones, aromatics and drain them into a large pot through a mesh strainer.

7. Season with a few splashes of fish sauce and pinches of brown sugar.

8. While still hot add in the stems of a bunch of cilantro leaves wrapped in tied cheesecloth to steep in the broth for 15 minutes before removing.

Bringing your bowl together:

1. Start by cooking rice noodles to the package instructions.

2. Toss together all the desired herb ingredients in a small bowl.

3. Thinly slice Thai chiles and flank steak (across the grain).

4. Cut the limes into wedges or cheeks and slice the white onions.

5. Place cooked noodles at the bottom of the bowl top with flank steak then cover with boiling hot broth.

6. Top with sliced white onions, sliced chiles, herbs salad, and lime wedges.

Now you just enjoy and eat 5 bowls if you’re me. :)