Pho Bo, a Vietnamese beef noodle soup, is a delightful and flavorful dish that has gained immense popularity worldwide. Originating in Hanoi, Vietnam, this iconic soup is known for its savory broth, tender beef, and aromatic herbs. The perfect bowl of Pho Bo requires a delicate balance of spices, fresh ingredients, and careful preparation. This article will provide a comprehensive guide to creating an authentic and delicious Pho Bo, taking you on a culinary journey to savor the essence of Vietnamese cuisine.
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PHO BO: VIETNAMESE BEEF NOODLE SOUP
Pho is a classic Vietnamese noodle soup, supposedly invented in Hanoi in the early 20th century. With this dish, everything's about the broth-if you don't have the right broth, you don't have the dish. Reprinted with permission from "Vietnamese Home Cooking," by Charles Phan. Published by Ten Speed Press.
Provided by Charles Phan
Categories main-dish
Time 7h
Yield 6 servings
Number Of Ingredients 26
Steps:
- For the beef stock: Preheat the oven to 350 F. Bring a large pot of water to a boil; add the oxtails, neck bones, and shank bones. Return the water to a boil and cook for 3 minutes. Drain into colander and rinse the bones thoroughly under cold running water. Rinse the pot and return the oxtails, neck bones, and shank bones to the pot. Add water, slowly bring to a simmer, and cook for at least 6 hours. Meanwhile, roast the onion and ginger on a rimmed baking sheet for 40 minutes.
- Add the roasted onion and ginger to the simmering stock, along with the cinnamon, star anise, clove, cardamom pod, pepper, and palm sugar. Add the beef brisket and cook for 30-45 minutes; remove and allow the stock to continue to simmer, skimming off any scum that rises to the top. After 6-8 hours, remove pot from the heat and use a slotted spoon to discard the large solids. Strain the stock into soup pot through a fine-mesh sieve. (Note: To store, let cool completely; then transfer to airtight containers and refrigerate for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 3 months. Makes 6 quarts.)
- For the soup: Thinly slice the top round and use the back of your knife to tenderize the meat slices; set aside. Slice the cooked brisket against the grain in thin slices; set aside. Blanch the bean sprouts in hot water; set aside. Season the stock with a few pinches of salt and fish sauce to taste.
- Warm a serving bowl in hot water. Place the dried rice noodles in fine-mesh sieve; submerge the sieve in hot water and gently stir with tongs, 5-10 seconds. Place the cooked noodles in the warmed serving bowl. Top with brisket; then add a few slices of the top round and some chopped scallions and cilantro. Ladle the hot broth into the bowl, being careful not to submerge the top round. Serve immediately, accompanied by optional garnishes.
PHO BO - BEEF NOODLE SOUP
This is from a Vietnamese cookbook, lent to me by a friend. The ginger makes for a spicy, flavourful broth.
Provided by Sackville
Categories Meat
Time 20m
Yield 4 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 19
Steps:
- Make the broth by bringing the stock to a boil.
- Add the ginger, cinnamon, coriander seeds and star anise.
- Simmer for 15 minutes, then add the sugar, salt, pepper and fish sauce.
- Strain the broth and return to the pan, keeping hot over a low heat.
- Boil a pan of water and cook the noodles until al dente.
- When you put the noodles in the water, put the beef in the hot broth to cook. You don't need to boil it. The beef will cook just from the heat of the broth because it is so thinly sliced.
- Drain and divide the noodles among individual bowls.
- Add a handful of beansprouts, some shallots and coriander.
- Ladle the hot broth and beef over.
- At the table, each person can add the hoisin sauce, chilli sauce, lime juice, fresh chilli and basil to taste.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 698.8, Fat 15.5, SaturatedFat 6, Cholesterol 39.4, Sodium 2680.7, Carbohydrate 116.3, Fiber 4.9, Sugar 5.9, Protein 23.1
FAUX PHO BO (VIETNAMESE BEEF NOODLE SOUP)
This is an easy version that starts with canned beef broth. Some of the ingredients may be hard for people in some parts of the world to find--I live in an area with a large Asian population so I've never had any trouble myself. Be careful when using the sriracha or sambal oelek, as they are very hot. Fish sauce, to the uninitiated, smells really awful--but it doesn't taste like it smells. Once you've added it to your soup, you won't smell it nearly so strongly and it adds a pleasant, salty, seafood-y flavor to your food.
Provided by Halcyon Eve
Categories Meat
Time 1h30m
Yield 6 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 16
Steps:
- In a 6 quart stockpot, combine broth, onion, ginger, lemongrass, cinnamon, and peppercorns (tie the seasonings loosely in cheesecloth for easier removal). Bring to a boil, reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 1 hour.
- Meanwhile, prepare rice noodles and garnishes.
- Arrange bean sprouts, basil, cilantro, chilies, and limes on a large platter.
- To prepare rice noodles, bring 4-6 quarts of water to a boil. Add rice noodles and stir to separate. Cook until just barely tender, about 2-3 minutes. Drain well. If not quite ready to serve, rinse noodles and drain again.
- To serve, remove seasonings (except onions) from broth; keep broth hot.
- Place ½ cup rice noodles in each of 6 large, deep bowls.
- Arrange thinly sliced beef over noodles, fanning out to increase surface area. Ladle very hot broth over beef and stir to cook.
- Serve immediately. Pass garnish platter, hoisin sauce, fish sauce, and sambal oelek or sriracha sauce for people to add as desired.
Tips:
- Choose the right beef: For the best flavor, use a well-marbled beef shank or chuck roast. These cuts have a lot of connective tissue that will break down and tenderize as the soup simmers.
- Don't skip the spices: The spices in pho are what give it its characteristic flavor. Be sure to use a good quality cinnamon stick, star anise, and cloves.
- Simmer the soup for at least 2 hours: This will give the flavors time to develop and the beef time to become tender.
- Use a good quality rice noodle: Rice noodles are an essential part of pho. Look for a noodle that is made with 100% rice flour and that is thin and translucent.
- Add toppings to your liking: Traditional pho toppings include bean sprouts, basil, cilantro, and lime wedges. You can also add other toppings, such as sliced chiles, jalapenos, or hoisin sauce.
Conclusion:
Pho is a delicious and flavorful Vietnamese beef noodle soup that is easy to make at home. With a few simple ingredients and a little time, you can create a bowl of pho that is sure to satisfy your cravings. So next time you're looking for a comforting and delicious meal, give pho a try!
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