The Foodiator

A Pho Foodiator’s style!

 

A Pho is ALL ABOUT the broth. No shortcuts or your Pho would simply suck.  

 

For Broth:

2 tbs peanut or vegetable oil.

2 stalks Lemon Grass, halved.

2 shallots, sliced.

4 Cardamom pods.

2 Cinnamon sticks.

2 whole nutmeg.

1 fresh ginger root, halved.

2 whole star anise. 1 ts whole cloves.

2 hot peppers.

1 tbs brown sugar.

2 tbs hoisin sauce.

2 tbs sriracha sauce.

1 tbs kosher salt.

1 tbs roasted red chili paste.

2 ts Fennel seeds. (and if you really like it hot-)

1 ts red chili flakes.

 

Heat the oil in a large pot (about 6qt.), then add the shallots and the lemon grass and saute for 2 minutes. Add water and fill about 3/4 of the pot. The add all the rest of ingredients, bring to a boil, then lower heat, cover pot and simmer for at least an hour. Once broth is ready, discard all spices. 

 

*TIP: In order to make the straining process a little easier, wrap the cardamom, cloves, star anise, nutmeg and fennel seeds in a cheesecloth, then once the broth is done pull it out! 

 

Garnish:

The other important part of a Pho is the garnish! Garnish with lime wedges, cilantro, sliced green onions, bean sprouts (or any kind of sprouts you like) sliced red hot pepper and thai basil.

 

Noodles:

If you want to go authentic use rice noodles, but honestly any type of noodles would work.

 

Enjoy!

The Phodiator.