Vietnamese Pho

Pho is a traditional Vietnamese noodle soup that is beloved for its complex flavors and comforting warmth. This iconic dish is a staple of Vietnamese cuisine and is enjoyed by people all over the world. Making Pho at home may seem like a daunting task, but with the right ingredients and techniques, you can create a delicious bowl of Pho that rivals what you would find in a Vietnamese restaurant. Here are 10 full step-by-step instructions on how to make Pho, along with a list of ingredients you will need.

Ingredients:

1. 3-4 pounds of beef bones

2. 1 onion, halved

3. 3-inch piece of ginger, halved lengthwise

4. 5 star anise

5. 6 whole cloves

6. 1 cinnamon stick

7. 1 tablespoon coriander seeds

8. 1 tablespoon fennel seeds

9. 2 cardamom pods

10. 1 pound of beef brisket or flank steak, thinly sliced

11. 8 cups of beef stock

12. Fish sauce

13. Rock sugar or granulated sugar

14. Salt

15. Rice noodles

16. Garnishes: bean sprouts, Thai basil, cilantro, lime wedges, thinly sliced chili peppers

Below is the 10 steps for how to make Vietnamese pho:

Step 1: Char the Onion and Ginger

Preheat your broiler to high. Place the onion and ginger on a baking sheet and char under the broiler for about 10 minutes, turning occasionally, until they are charred on all sides.

Step 2: Toast the Spices

In a dry skillet, toast the star anise, cloves, cinnamon stick, coriander seeds, fennel seeds, and cardamom pods over medium heat until fragrant, about 3-4 minutes.

Step 3: Parboil the Beef Bones

Place the beef bones in a large pot and cover with cold water. Bring to a boil and let it cook for 10 minutes. Drain the bones and rinse with cold water to remove any impurities.

Step 4: Simmer the Broth

In a large stockpot, add the parboiled beef bones, charred onion and ginger, toasted spices, beef brisket or flank steak, and beef stock. Bring to a boil and then reduce the heat to low. Skim off any foam that rises to the surface. Add fish sauce, rock sugar or granulated sugar, and salt to taste. Simmer for at least 1-2 hours, occasionally skimming off any impurities that rise to the surface.

Step 5: Prepare the Noodles

While the broth is simmering, prepare the rice noodles according to the package instructions. Drain and rinse with cold water.

Step 6: Slice the Garnishes

Prepare the garnishes by slicing the lime into wedges, thinly slicing the chili peppers, and washing the bean sprouts, Thai basil, and cilantro.

Step 7: Strain the Broth

Once the broth has simmered for at least 1-2 hours, strain it through a fine-mesh sieve into another pot. Discard the solids.

Step 8: Assemble the Bowls

Divide the cooked noodles among serving bowls. Top with the thinly sliced beef brisket or flank steak.

Step 9: Ladle the Broth

Bring the strained broth to a simmer and ladle it over the noodles and beef in each bowl.

Step 10: Garnish and Serve

Serve the Pho immediately with the garnishes on the side so that each person can customize their bowl with bean sprouts, Thai basil, cilantro, lime wedges, and chili peppers.

Making Pho at home requires time and patience, but the end result is well worth it. The rich and aromatic broth combined with tender slices of beef and fresh herbs creates a truly satisfying meal that is perfect for any occasion. So gather your ingredients, follow these step-by-step instructions, and enjoy a bowl of homemade Pho that will transport you to the bustling streets of Vietnam.