I never know what to say when people ask me what my favorite food is. There are too many choices and how can I really just pick one. But the truth is that pho is my favorite food. It’s what I wanted for my birthday dinner, it’s what I want when I have a cold, it’s what I want when I’m having a bad day. Pho is just good food. But it’s not something that can easily be made at home.
While flipping through the Whole Foods flyer I found a $1 off coupon for Pacific’s soup starter. Pho in a carton? Why not.
It couldn’t be simpler to prepare. Cook rice noodles. Heat broth and add thinly sliced steak once boiling. Put noodles in bowl, pour broth and meat over noodles, top with whatever you like.
I wish that I could say this was the best darn pho ever, but it’s not. The broth is darn close, a little too sweet and missing some depth of flavor. I think adding a bit of soy sauce or fish sauce would make it. But let’s be real. I ate one of my favorite meals on a cold January night with little preparation and time involved. Until I move to Vietnam and have unlimited pho access, this broth is easily going to be one of my new staples.
{ 7 comments… read them below or add one }
I hardly ever make Asian inspired dishes at home just because I have no clueee what to use or make! But a warm and comforting soup in the dead of winter sounds good
I tried making pho last year from scratch and while it smelled AMAZING, it just wasn’t the same. And I spent like $80 on all of the ingredients when I could have just gotten a huge bowl for $7. So never again is the moral of the story! It is so much easier, cheaper and better to get it out at a restaurant!
I definitely agree. This wasn’t quite the same, but a pretty good (and inexpensive) alternative. I realized that there is zero added salt to the broth, which is awesome considering what most soups are like, but I think a little salt will improve it.
That looks really great. I’ve never really tried oriental food at home although I love it so much!
I could never get the broth right either, I always added too much cinnamon. Trying to make it veggie is difficult too. Pho is one of the Philly foods I really miss . Glad you found a quick fix though.
I am impressed Alex! I love Pho too – such a comfort food. I never thought to make it at home though… I need to try this recipe out soon.
Definitely try this broth! When I reheated it I added about a tablespoon of soy sauce and a lime wedge which really made it taste like what is in restaurants.