Authentic Pho🍜 🍲

Here's an authentic recipe for Vietnamese pho, a delicious noodle soup known for its aromatic broth and fresh ingredients.

Ingredients

For the Broth:

- 4-5 pounds beef bones (preferably a mix of marrow and knuckle bones)

- 1 onion, halved

- 1 piece of ginger (about 3 inches), halved

- 6-8 whole star anise

- 1-2 cinnamon sticks

- 4-5 whole cloves

- 1 tablespoon coriander seeds

- 1-2 teaspoons salt (to taste)

- 1 tablespoon fish sauce (adjust to taste)

- Water (enough to cover the bones)

For the Soup:

- 1 pound rice noodles (banh pho)

- 1 pound thinly sliced beef (such as sirloin or brisket)

- Fresh herbs: basil, cilantro, mint

- Bean sprouts

- Lime wedges

- Sliced jalapeños or chili peppers

- Hoisin sauce (optional)

- Sriracha sauce (optional)

Instructions

Prepare the Broth:

1. Roast the Bones: Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). Place the beef bones on a baking sheet and roast for about 30 minutes until browned.

2. Char the Onion and Ginger: While the bones are roasting, char the onion and ginger over an open flame or under the broiler until slightly blackened.

3. Simmer the Broth: In a large pot, add the roasted bones, charred onion, ginger, star anise, cinnamon sticks, cloves, coriander seeds, salt, and fish sauce. Cover with water and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for at least 6 hours, skimming any foam that rises to the top. The longer you simmer, the richer the broth will be.

4. Strain the Broth: Once done, strain the broth through a fine mesh sieve or cheesecloth into a clean pot. Discard the solids and adjust seasoning with additional salt or fish sauce if necessary.

Prepare the Noodles and Serve:

5. Cook the Noodles: Cook the rice noodles according to package instructions. Drain and rinse under cold water.

6. Assemble the Bowls: In a bowl, place a portion of cooked noodles, top with sliced raw beef, and ladle hot broth over the top. The hot broth will cook the slices of beef.

7. Garnish:Serve with fresh herbs, bean sprouts, lime wedges, jalapeños, hoisin sauce, and Sriracha on the side.

Tips:

- For added depth, you can include a dash of sugar in the broth.

- Adjust the toppings and sauces to your liking.

Enjoy your homemade pho!