The perfect combination of winter and noodle soup is truly captivating. In the chilly air, the aroma of steaming noodles fills the surroundings, injecting warmth and comfort into the entire season. An authentic bowl of Pho is a delightful experience, where the rich bone broth complements the tender beef, combined with smooth rice noodles, creating not just a delicious dish but also a nourishing and healthy one. Each mouthful is a reward for the taste buds, allowing you to feel warmth and goodness in the midst of the cold season. Undoubtedly, Pho is one of the most sought-after delights during winter, leaving a nostalgic and unforgettable impression. While the preparation method may not be overly complicated, it does require a significant amount of time. However, when you taste it, you’ll find that every moment spent is truly worthwhile.
250 grams fresh flat rice noodles
400 grams beef brisket (sliced thinly)
1 large onion (sliced)
4 slices of ginger
2 cloves of garlic (sliced)
1 cinnamon stick
2 star anise
4 cloves
1 tablespoon sugar
2 tablespoons fish sauce
2 liters beef or chicken broth
Salt and pepper to taste
Fresh bean sprouts
Lemon wedges
Red chili (sliced)
Spring onions (chopped)
Thai coriander
Equipment
Slow cooker
Large pot
Colander
Image From Amazon
The ingredients you’ll need
Beef brisket: Choose high-quality beef brisket, preferably with a good balance of fat and lean parts. This ensures more flavors are released during the slow-cooking process.
Onion, ginger, garlic: Opt for fresh onions, ginger, and garlic as they are key ingredients for seasoning the broth, and their freshness directly impacts the aroma of the soup.
Spices: Cinnamon, star anise, cloves, and other spices should be fresh to ensure they provide the best flavor to the broth.
Flat rice noodles: Use fresh flat rice noodles for easier control of texture during cooking, ensuring the noodles are soft yet chewy.
Bean sprouts, lemon, red chili, spring onions, coriander: These ingredients are best when fresh to ensure a delicious texture and taste in the dish.
Fish sauce: I understand that some people may find the taste of fish sauce challenging, but it is an essential seasoning for the Pho broth, influencing the overall flavor.
How to make it
Image From tamingofthespoon.com
Prepare Broth
In a large pot, combine the broth, beef brisket, onion, ginger, garlic, cinnamon, star anise, cloves, sugar, and fish sauce.
Bring to a boil and then reduce the heat to simmer. Slow-cook until the beef brisket becomes tender, approximately 1.5 to 2 hours.
Cook Rice Noodles
Cook the flat rice noodles according to the package instructions.
Drain and rinse with cold water. Set aside.
Season
Adjust the taste of the broth by adding an appropriate amount of salt and pepper according to your preference.
Prepare Garnishes
Have bean sprouts, lemon wedges, red chili, spring onions, and coriander ready on the side.
Assemble Bowls
Place a suitable amount of cooked rice noodles in each bowl and top with thin slices of beef.
Pour the hot broth into each bowl, directly cooking the thinly sliced beef.
Garnish
Place bean sprouts, lemon wedges, red chili, spring onions, and coriander on the surface of each bowl.
Serve
Stir well and enjoy the delicious Vietnamese Beef Pho!
Tips
Slow Simmering for Broth：The key to Pho lies in the rich broth, so choose a slow simmer during the cooking process. This allows the beef brisket to slowly release its flavors, resulting in a rich and robust broth.
Careful with Spices：When using spices like cinnamon, star anise, and cloves, be moderate in the quantity to avoid an overly strong flavor. You can start by simmering for a short period and gradually adjust according to personal taste.
Skim Off Foam：During the simmering process, promptly skim off any surface foam to ensure the clarity of the broth.
Thinly Slice Beef Brisket：Opt for thinly sliced beef brisket, as this allows it to quickly cook when pouring in the hot broth, achieving a tender and smooth texture.
Blanch Rice Noodles：When cooking rice noodles, it’s helpful to blanch them briefly in hot water beforehand. This not only removes stickiness but also aids in controlling the cooking time, resulting in softer noodles.
From simmering the broth to preparing the garnishes, to finally serving it on the table, these processes may seem intricate, but they are truly therapeutic. Without any high-temperature frying or stir-frying, it makes for a relatively healthy dinner, and enjoying it feels effortless. From the rich broth simmered with timeless spices to the tender beef brisket paired with soft rice noodles, Pho emanates a hearty home-cooked flavor, evoking unique memories associated with good food. May this distinctive delicacy bring you warm moments and beautiful memories during the winter season.