Quick Pork Phở

Phở is a Vietnamese soup that is so tasty, once you try it you will be hooked. Phở is pronounced fuh, so now when you pass that PhởKing restaurant down the street you can laugh too.

It can be made with or without meat, I happen to think that with meat is tastier, but with a great broth you do not need meat. Phở is traditionally made with beef stock and sliced beef. I made this version with chicken stock as the base and I had some boneless pork country ribs in the fridge that I minced up and added to the bubbling broth. This is by no means an authentic recipe, for that I suggest you try Steamy Kitchen or other resource.

My Quick Pork Phở

4 servings

• 2 liters/quarts chicken stock
• 1 handful of dried shiitake mushrooms
• 1 thumb sized piece of ginger, peeled and smashed with the side of a knife
• 3 cloves of garlic, peeled and smashed with the side of a knife
• 1 star anise
  
• 1 tsp sugar
• 1 tsp dried chili flakes, or 1 fresh hot chili
• 1 Tbsp soy sauce
• 1/2 lb minced fatty pork, such as country style pork ribs
• 1 Tbsp fish sauce
• 2 limes, 1 cut into wedges, 1 for juicing into the soup
• 1 pkg rice noodles, thin is best
• 1 cup fresh bean sprouts
• fresh Thai basil or cilantro leaves
• fresh chilies such as bird chilies or jalapenos

Bring the stock, mushrooms, ginger, garlic, star anise, sugar, and soy sauce to a boil and reduce to a simmer. Let simmer for 15-20 minutes while you prepare something else. This helps the broth become more concentrated in flavor. The longer those mushrooms simmer the better it will be.

Soak the noodles according to package directions while the broth is simmering.

After the broth has been simmering 15 minutes add the pork. Allow the pork to cook in the simmering broth for 10 minutes or so. Taste the broth and adjust the seasoning.

When the noodles are soft, but not falling apart, remove from the water. Rinse in cold water and set aside while waiting for the broth to finish. When the broth is finished, remove from the heat and add the juice of one lime and the fish sauce. Taste and adjust as necessary.

To eat, pile a bunch of noodles in your bowl, top with the broth and garnish with bean sprouts, limes, basil, sliced chilies, and fish sauce. Grab your chopsticks or a fork and spoon and slurp away. Can also be served with hoisin or sriracha!

Tagged as: gluten-free, pork, quick