Beef Pho Noodle Soup: A Hearty Vietnamese Dish to Warm Your Soul
– 500g beef
– 100g pork bones
– 1 pack of beef pho spice mix
– 1 onion
– 4 shallots
– 1 knob of ginger
– 2 tbsp rock sugar
– Pho herbs (e.g. Thai basil, spring onions)
Common seasonings: broth powder, sugar, MSG, salt
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The Art of Cooking Beef Pho: A Delicious Journey
Unlocking the Secrets to a Mouth-watering Bowl of Beef Pho
Step 1: Prepare the Ingredients
Start by boiling a pot of water with the shallots, slightly crushed, over high heat.
Once the water reaches a rolling boil, add the beef and pork bones and blanch for about 3 minutes to remove any unwanted odors. Then, remove the meat and plunge it into a bowl of cold water.
Step 2: Continue the Prep Work
For the shallots, peel 3 and crush them slightly, leaving the remaining 2 intact but cleaned. Trim the roots of the onion and give it a good wash, along with the ginger. Lightly char the onion, 2 shallots, and ginger over the stove for about 2 minutes to release their aromatic flavors.
Take the pho spice mix and toast it in a pan over medium-low heat for 4 minutes until fragrant. Transfer the toasted spices into a muslin bag and tie it securely.
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Mastering the Art of Beef Pho: A Culinary Adventure
Step 3: Create the Soul-warming Broth
In a large pot, combine 1.5 liters of water with the blanched beef and pork bones. Cover and simmer for an hour, occasionally skimming off any impurities that rise to the surface to ensure a clear broth.
Once the water boils, add the charred onion, shallots, ginger, and spice bag to the pot, filling your kitchen with wonderful aromas.
Stir in 2 tbsp of rock sugar, 2 tsp of salt, 1.5 tsp of MSG, and 1.5 tsp of broth powder. Adjust the seasoning to your taste and let it simmer for another 3 minutes before turning off the heat.
Step 4: Putting it All Together
After the broth has boiled for a while, carefully remove the beef from the pot and slice it into bite-sized pieces.
In a serving bowl, arrange the pho noodles and top them with the sliced beef. Ladle over the hot broth and garnish with sliced chilies and pho herbs.
Step 5: Enjoy the Fruits of Your Labor
There you have it—a delicious bowl of beef pho made with a convenient spice mix! The broth is rich and savory, sweetened by the bones, shallots, and onion, with a subtle kick from the ginger. The beef is tender, and the noodles are soft and slippery. It’s a bowl of comfort and warmth that will leave you wanting more.