PHO BO (VIETNAMESE BEEF-AND-NOODLE SOUP)

Steps:

• Soak rice noodles in hot water to cover.
• Meanwhile, combine stock, star anise, cinnamon, ginger, onion and cloves in saucepan; turn heat to high. When mixture boils, turn heat to low, and cover. Let cook, undisturbed, for 20 minutes to 1 hour, depending on how much time you have (the longer the cooking, the deeper the flavor). Strain, and return to saucepan; turn heat to medium.
• Bring pot of water to boil. Drain noodles, add them to pot, and boil for 30 seconds; drain well. Warm 4 large bowls by filling them with hot water; discard water. Divide noodles among bowls.
• Turn heat under soup to medium, and add beef; stir once, and then turn off heat. (The meat is traditionally left rare; if you want to cook it more, go ahead, but these slices will cook through in less than 2 minutes.) Add fish sauce or soy sauce and plenty of pepper to the soup. Taste, and add salt or more seasoning, if necessary.
• Top noodles with broth and meat, and then bring to the table. Serve, passing lime wedges, scallions, chilies and herbs at the table, so that everyone can add them to taste.

PHO BO: VIETNAMESE BEEF NOODLE SOUP

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.

VIETNAMESE "PHO" RICE NOODLE SOUP WITH BEEF

Steps:

• 1. In a large stockpot, bring 6 quarts water to a boil. Place the bones and beef chuck in a second pot and add water to cover. Bring to a boil and boil vigorously for 5 minutes. Using tongs, carefully transfer the bones and beef to the first pot of boiling water. Discard the water in which the meat cooked. (This cleans the bones and meat and reduces the impurities that can cloud the broth.) When the water returns to a boil, reduce the heat to a simmer. Skim the surface often to remove any foam and fat. Add the charred ginger and onions, fish sauce and sugar. Simmer until the beef chuck is tender, about 40 minutes. Remove one piece and submerge in cool water for 10 minutes to prevent the meat from darkening and drying out. Drain, then cut into thin slices and set aside. Let the other piece of beef chuck continue to cook in the simmering broth.
• 2. When the broth has been simmering for about 1 1/2 hours total, wrap the star anise and cloves in a spice bag (or piece of cheesecloth) and add to the broth. Let infuse until the broth is fragrant, about 30 minutes. Remove and discard both the spice bag and onions. Add the salt and continue to simmer, skimming as necessary, until you're ready to assemble the dish. The broth needs to cook for at least 2 hours. (The broth will taste salty but will be balanced once the noodles and accompaniments are added.) Leave the remaining chuck and bones to simmer in the pot while you assemble the bowls.
• 3. To serve, place the cooked noodles in preheated bowls. (If the noodles are not hot, reheat them in a microwave or dip them briefly in boiling water to prevent them from cooling down the soup.) Place a few slices of the beef chuck and the raw sirloin on the noodles. Bring the broth to a rolling boil; ladle about 2 to 3 cups into each bowl. The broth will cook the raw beef instantly. Garnish with yellow onions, scallions and cilantro. Serve immediately, inviting guests to garnish the bowls with bean sprouts, herbs, chilies, lime juice and black pepper.
• How to Char Ginger and Onions:
• To char ginger, hold the piece with tongs directly over an open flame or place it directly on a medium-hot electric burner. While turning, char until the edges are slightly blackened and the ginger is fragrant, about 3 to 4 minutes. Char the onions in the same way. Peel and discard the blackened skins of the ginger and onions, then rinse and add to the broth.

VEGETARIAN PHO (VIETNAMESE NOODLE SOUP)

Steps:

• Place vegetable stock, onion, soy sauce, garlic, cinnamon sticks, ground ginger, star anise, and bay leaves in a large pot; bring to a boil. Reduce heat, cover, and simmer until flavors combine, 30 to 45 minutes. Remove solids with a slotted spoon and keep broth hot.
• Place noodles in a large bowl and cover with boiling water. Set aside until noodles are softened, 8 to 10 minutes. Drain and rinse thoroughly. Divide noodles among 6 serving bowls.
• Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add tofu in a single layer and fry, in batches, until golden brown, about 6 minutes per side.
• Simmer fried tofu and mushrooms in broth until heated through, about 5 minutes. Transfer to serving bowls. Top with scallions and cilantro. Ladle in hot broth.
• Serve lime wedges, jalapeno peppers, bean sprouts, and basil alongside for garnishing each bowl.

VIETNAMESE BEEF AND RICE NOODLE SOUP (PHO)

Steps:

• Place the oxtails in a large stockpot and add the water.
• Bring the water to a full boil, then reduce heat and bring water to a simmer.
• Scrape any scum off the top of the water and discard.
• Cut the onion in half and peel off the outer portion.
• Place on a baking sheet along with the ginger and broil in the over about 20 minutes, making sure not to blacken it.
• Turn over halfway through.
• Allow to cool.
• Place the star anise, cloves, cinnamon, and fennel seeds in a piece of cheesecloth and tie it shut with twine.
• Add the spice pack, onion halves, ginger, bay leaves, salt, and fish sauce to the broth.
• Allow the broth to simmer at least 5-6 hours (to your taste) uncovered.
• Remove the spice pack, onions, ginger, and bay leaves and discard.
• Remove the oxtails and set them aside.
• When cool enough to handle, remove the meat and trim of any remaining fat.
• Set the meat aside and return the bones to the broth.
• Allow the broth to simmer another hour or two until you achieve the desired taste then remove the bones.
• You may adjust the salt, but you don't want it too salty.
• Soak the rice noodles in COLD water 15-20 minutes, while starting a large pot of water boiling.
• While the noodles are soaking, place the cilantro, basil leaves, mint leaves, sliced onions, sliced scallions, and bean sprouts on a serving platter.
• After the noodles have soaked, place them in the boiling water and allow to cook until tender, but don't let them get mushy.
• It should only take a couple minutes.
• Rinse the noodles in cold water if not serving immediately.
• When ready to eat (you can do this earlier, like when you're boiling the water for the noodles) return the broth to a rolling boil.
• Place the noodles in a serving bowl and arrange the sliced meat (leftover oxtail meat if desired) over them.
• Ladle the boiling broth over the noodles and beef, making sure to cover the meat.
• Serve and allow each person to place the desired amount of garnish from the platter, hoisin sauce, and sriracha in their own bowl to taste.

FAUX PHO BO (VIETNAMESE BEEF NOODLE SOUP)

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.

INSTANT-POT VIETNAMESE CHICKEN NOODLE SOUP (PHO GA)

Steps:

• Preheat the Instant Pot by selecting Sauté on high heat.
• Once hot, add the oil to the pot. Add the onions, cutside down, and the ginger. Cook, without moving, until charred-about 4 minutes.
• Add the coriander, star anise, cloves, cinnamon stick, and cardamom. Stir and cook for 1 minute more. Add the chicken, fish sauce, and sugar and immediately pour over the water. Secure the lid.
• Select Manual and cook at high pressure for 15 minutes.
• Once cooking is complete, use a natural release for 10 minutes and release any remaining steam. Remove the chicken from the pot and carefully strain the broth. Season with salt and pepper as desired.
• Place the cooked noodles in 4 bowls. When the chicken is cool enough to handle, pick the meat off the bones and add to the bowls. Pour over the broth and top with scallions, herbs, lime, and bean sprouts and jalapeño (if using).

PHO BY MEAN CHEF (VIETNAMESE BEEF & RICE-NOODLE SOUP)

Steps:

• Put the oxtails into a large stockpot and add enough water to cover the bones by 4 inches (about 1 1/2 gallons). This will reduce to about 3 quarts when you are done.
• Bring to a full boil and then lower the heat to a rapid simmer.
• Skim the scum that rises to the surface.
• Meanwhile put the ginger and onion halves on a baking sheet and char them under the broiler until lightly blackened, 10 to 15 minutes.
• Turn them over halfway through cooking.
• When cool enough to handle, rinse the onion and ginger under running water, using a knife to scrape away some of the charred surface.
• Cut the ginger into 3 pieces and toss it and the onion halves into the simmering broth, along with 1 tablespoon salt and the fish sauce.
• Put the star anise, cloves, and cinnamon stick in a small skillet and toast them on top of a stove burner over medium heat.
• Turn the spices a couple of times until they're slightly darkened (3 to 4 minutes) and until you smell their aroma.
• Put the toasted spices and fennel seeds in a small square of double thick cheesecloth and tie the bundle with a long piece of kitchen twine.
• Add the spice bundle and the bay leaves to the broth, tying the end of the twine to the pot handle for easy retrieval.
• Let the broth simmer slowly, uncovered, skimming occasionally.
• After 4 hours, remove the spice bundle, onion, bay leaves and ginger from the pot and discard.
• Remove the oxtails from the pot and set aside.
• Let the broth continue to simmer.
• When the meat is cool enough to handle, pull the meat from the bones.
• Set the meat aside and return the bones to the broth.
• Continue simmering, uncovered, until the broth is rich and flavorful, about 1 hour. At this point you should cool the broth in the refrigerator overnight and then defat.
• Heat the broth and taste to determine if you need to add more salt or fish sauce as needed.
• Meanwhile, soak the rice noodles in cold water for at least 20 minutes.
• Arrange the sliced scallions, cilantro, parsley, basil, bean sprouts, lime wedges, and chiles on a platter in separate piles.
• Bring a large pot of water to a boil and add the drained rice noodles.
• Give the noodles a quick stir and cook until tender but firm, about 1 minute.
• Rice noodles can quickly become gummy, so don't let them overcook.
• Drain the noodles.
• Warm 4 large bowls by rinsing them with hot water and divide the noodles among the bowls.
• Just before serving, return the broth to a full boil.
• Arrange the slices of raw filet and pieces of cooked oxtail meat over the noodles in each bowl.
• Carefully ladle the boiling broth over all; the raw beef should be submerged in the broth.
• Serve immediately, along with the platters of garnish.
• Yield: 3 quarts of broth; serves 4 as a main course.

PHO GA (VIETNAMESE CHICKEN NOODLE SOUP)

Steps:

• Cut the hen into 8 pieces and discard any excess fat. Rinse chicken bones and necks with cold water and place in a stockpot. Add the water and ginger and bring to a boil. Skim any foam that rises to the surface. Reduce the heat to a low simmer and cook for 3 hours; do not allow the liquid to boil to ensure a clear broth.
• Remove and discard the hen and bones. Strain the broth through a fine mesh sieve or chinois lined with cheesecloth. Return the broth to a large soup pot and continue to simmer until reduced to a volume of 2 1/2 or 3 quarts. Season with salt, to taste, and keep hot while you assemble the remaining ingredients.
• Prepare the rice vermicelli according to package directions. Once done, transfer to a colander and drain well. Rinse well under cold running water. Drain thoroughly before using. (The noodles may be prepared up to this point 2 hours ahead of serving.)
• When ready to serve the soup, for each serving ladle 2 cups of the hot broth into a large soup bowl. Quickly dip the cooked noodles in the remaining hot broth to rewarm, then place a handful of noodles in each bowl. Divide the sliced chicken breast between the bowls, laying the slices over the top of the noodles. Serve the soup immediately, with the fresh cilantro, basil, mint, bean sprouts, lime wedges and jalapeno peppers in baskets on the table for each person to garnish their own soup, as desired. Add chili sauce or fish sauce, to taste, if desired.

PHO BAC (NORTHERN VIETNAMESE STYLE BEEF AND RICE NOODLE SOUP)

Steps:

• Arrange a rack 4 inches from broiler and heat. Put shallots and ginger on an aluminum foil-lined baking sheet and broil, turning often, until blackened (15-20 minutes) and let cool.
• Scrape peels off shallots and ginger. Halve ginger lengthwise, press each piece with the side of a knife to flatten, and set aside with shallots.
• Heat fennel seeds, star anise, cinnamon, and cardamom in a small skillet over medium heat and toast, swirling pan, until fragrant (3 minutes). Transfer spices to a small bowl and set aside.
• Place bones in a 12 qt pot and cover with cold water by 1 inch. Bring to a boil and cook for 3 minutes. Drain and rinse bones. Clean pot and return bones to pot along with reserved shallots and ginger, beef and cold water.
• Bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low and add reserved toasted spices, scallops and 2 tbsp salt. Cook, skimming surface, until beef is tender (1 1/2 hours).
• Using tongs, transfer beef to a bowl of ice water and cool for 10 minutes. Drain beef and thinly slice crosswise. Transfer to a plate, cover and refrigerate.
• Continue cooking broth for 1 1/2 hours more. Remove from heat and pour through a cheesecloth-lined fine strainer set over a clean 6 qt pot. Discard solids and skim fat from surface. Stir in fish sauce and scallion whites and keep hot.
• Combine vinegar and chiles in a small bowl and set aside.
• Pour boiling water over noodles in a medium bowl and let soak until al dente (10 minutes). Rinse noodles in cold water, drain and divide between 8 serving bowls.
• Top each with chilled, cooked beef and raw sirloin. Top beef with onions, then scallion greens and cilantro. Season with pepper and then ladle broth over each serving, placing one white scallion piece in each bowl.
• Serve with chiles on the side.

FAUX PHO - QUICK AND EASY VIETNAMESE STYLE NOODLE SOUP

Steps:

• Soak rice noodles in very, hot tap water.
• Heat oil in a large, deep skillet on medium hot.
• Saute garlic, ginger, and red pepper flakes, with the beef until the beef is 85% cooked through. .
• Add broth, fish sauce, spices and sugar.
• Bring to a boil, then simmer for 10 minutes.
• Rinse rice noodles and chop into 4-5 inch pieces.
• Place noodles in bowls, pour broth and meat over noodles.
• Add any or all garnish desired.
• Personal Note: I like mine with super spicy so I add tons of jalapeno and siracha sauce, along with all the veggies and herbs. You can also do this with pork, fish, shrimp, or chicken, or use veggie stock and tofu if you want to keep it vegetarian.

PHO (VIETNAMESE BEEF AND NOODLE SOUP)

Steps:

• Wrap beef in plastic wrap, and place in the freezer for about 1 hour.
• Meanwhile, fill a large bowl with cold water; add rice noodles. Let soak until soft, about 30 minutes. Drain; set aside.
• Combine beef stock, 1 1/2 cups water, and fish sauce in a large saucepan, and set over medium-high heat.
• Remove beef from freezer. Using a mandoline or a very sharp knife, slice beef into very thin (1/8 inch) strips.
• Divide noodles among six serving bowls, and arrange strips of meat over them. Raise heat under stock, and bring to a boil. Pour boiling stock over meat and noodles, pushing beef into hot liquid so that it cooks. Arrange bean sprouts and other accompaniments over beef and noodles; serve immediately with Asian chile sauce, if desired.

VIETNAMESE RICE NOODLE SOUP WITH BEEF AND FRESH HERBS (PHO)

Steps:

• Position an oven rack 4 to 6 inches from the broiler and preheat. Double a very large piece of heavy foil. Scatter the onion, garlic, ginger, cloves, anise and 5 grinds of pepper on the foil. Broil for 5 minutes, turning the pieces once. You want the onion to have some toasted edges and the spices should be fragrant. Scrape everything into a 6-quart pot. Be sure to get all the anise seed if that's what you used.
• Add the broth, sugar and fish sauce and bring to a gentle bubble. Cover tightly and simmer for 20 minutes.
• Meanwhile, put the rice noodles in a large bowl and cover them with very hot tap water. (To keep them hot, cover the bowl with a plate.) Soak the noodles for 10 to 15 minutes or until they are tender but with a little more firmness than you want. Stir a few times. When they are ready, drain and rinse well with cold water. Divide the noodles between two large soup bowls.
• While the broth is simmering and the noodles are soaking, arranging the table salad on a platter and set out the sauces.
• To serve, divide the beef between the soup bowls. Ladle the bubbling broth into the bowls. Top each serving with selections from the table salad.

PHO GA SOUP

Steps:

• Heat vegetable oil in a large saucepan over medium-high heat; saute onion, mushrooms, and garlic until tender, 5 to 10 minutes. Add water, rice noodles, and chicken bouillon to onion mixture; bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low.
• Mix shredded chicken, green onions, and cilantro into soup; simmer for 5 minutes more. Transfer soup to serving bowls and top with bean sprouts, a squeeze of lime juice, and Sriracha hot sauce.

PHO-VIETNAMESE NOODLE SOUP

Steps:

• Combine chicken broth, star anise, ginger paste, and sriracha hot sauce in a stockpot; bring to a boil. Add tofu, broccoli, mushrooms, and carrots and cook until vegetables are tender, 5 to 7 minutes.
• Bring a separate pot of water to a boil. Remove pot from heat and add rice noodles to the water; let stand until noodles are softened, about 4 minutes. Drain water and rinse noodles under cold water.
• Remove star anise from broth mixture.
• Pile cold noodles into serving bowls and top with broth mixture; garnish with green onion.

PHO SOUP

Steps:

• For the base: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• In a roasting pan, combine the mushrooms, celery, carrots, onions, ginger, lemongrass and canola oil. Bake for 25 minutes.
• Remove from the oven, transfer into a large pot and add 1 gallon of cool water. Bring to a simmer, then add the cilantro, basil and jalapenos and simmer for 20 minutes. Strain and stir in the sambal, soy sauce, sesame oil, and salt to taste.
• For the spicy vinaigrette: Whisk together all the vinaigrette ingredients.
• Toss the desired medley of vegetables with spicy vinaigrette and serve on top of each soup bowl with noodles. Garnish with a fresh piece of lime.

CHEATER PHO (ASIAN NOODLE SOUP)

Steps:

• Place noodles in a large bowl and cover with hot water. Set aside until noodles are softened, about 15 minutes. Drain and rinse thoroughly.
• Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large stockpot over medium heat. Season chicken with salt and pepper and place in the stockpot. Cook until golden, about 5 minutes. Set aside.
• Add remaining olive oil to stockpot. Add garlic and ginger. Cook, stirring frequently, until fragrant, about 3 minutes. Whisk in stock, hoisin sauce, and fish sauce. Bring to a boil; reduce heat and simmer for 10 minutes.
• Divide noodles between serving bowls; add onion, bean sprouts, cilantro, mint, jalapeno, chicken, and stock mixture. Top with limes.

BACH NGO'S PHO (HANOI BEEF SOUP)

Steps:

• Bring 9 cups of water to a boil. Add oxtail and chuck. Return to boil for 10 minutes, removing scum. Impale the ginger on a fork and hold it over a flame until it is blackened. Do the same with shallots. Add both to broth, together with star anise and cinnamon. Cover and simmer gently for 3 hours.
• While soup is simmering, chop coriander and scallions and combine. Set aside. Slice onion paper thin and set aside.
• Blanch bean sprouts in boiling water for 30 seconds. Remove and drain.
• Slice round or shoulder roast into paper-thin slices. This will be easier to do if the meat has first been slightly frozen.
• About 20 minutes before serving, bring 3 quarts of water to a boil and add rice noodles. Boil 5 minutes, then drain, run cold water over them and set aside.
• When broth is done and chuck and oxtail are tender, remove meats from broth. Slice chuck and remove meat from oxtail bones. Remove ginger, shallots, anise and cinnamon from the broth. Add nuoc mam to broth.
• To assemble and serve the soup, set out a bowl for each guest. Distribute noodles, cooked meat, and raw meat slices among the bowls. Add a few sliced onions, a few bean sprouts, and sprinkle with the combined scallion and coriander.
• Immediately before serving, pour boiling beef broth over the contents of each bowl. This will slightly cook the raw beef.
• Serve accompanied by a platter with the remaining bean sprouts and onion rings, the lemon wedges and the hot pepper slices. Serve additional nuoc mam for those who prefer a saltier taste.

PHO GINGER AND LIME SOUP

Steps:

• Heat 1 teaspoon sesame oil in a large pot over low heat; cook and stir ginger in the hot oil for 10 minutes. Pour chicken broth over ginger, cover pot, and simmer for 30 minutes.
• Stir onion and carrots into broth and simmer until carrots are tender, about 10 minutes. Gradually add curry powder, ground ginger, cayenne pepper, salt, and black pepper to broth; stir in jalapeno pepper and half the lime juice. Simmer broth over low heat, stirring about every 15 minutes, until flavors have blended, about 1 hour.
• Fill a large pot with lightly salted water and bring to a rolling boil. Drop udon in a few noodles at a time and return to a boil. Cook uncovered, stirring occasionally, until the pasta has cooked through, but is still firm to the bite, 10 to 12 minutes; drain.
• Heat 1 teaspoon sesame oil in a skillet over medium heat; cook and stir chicken in the hot oil until no longer pink in the center, about 10 minutes. Transfer chicken to broth and stir leek and green onion into broth; simmer for 5 to 10 more minutes. Remove pot from heat.
• Portion udon noodles into each serving bowl; ladle broth over noodles. Add remaining lime juice to each serving.