Savory Vietnamese Pho Delight for Two

Exquisite Vietnamese Pho for Two

Embark on a delightful culinary journey to Vietnam with this exquisite Pho recipe. This traditional Vietnamese soup brims with a deeply flavorful beef broth, tender beef slices, and a mix of fresh herbs and aromatic spices. With a perfect balance of savory and spicy, this Pho will tantalize your taste buds and bring a touch of Southeast Asian cuisine to your dinner table.

Serves: 2, Difficulty: Expert

Ingredients

• 500g beef bones (for broth)
• 250g beef brisket or thinly sliced sirloin
• 1 onion, halved
• 3 cloves garlic, smashed
• 1 thumb-sized piece of ginger
• 2 star anise
• 1 cinnamon stick
• 2 cloves
• 1 tbsp fish sauce
• 1 tbsp sugar
• 150g rice noodles
• Fresh basil, mint, and cilantro, to taste
• Bean sprouts, to taste
• Lime wedges, for serving
• Sliced chili, for garnish
• Hoisin sauce, for serving

Method

• Roast the beef bones, onion, ginger, and garlic in the oven at 200°C for 30 minutes to enhance flavor.
• Transfer the roasted ingredients to a large pot, adding 2 liters of water. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer.
• Skim off any foam or impurities that rise to the surface.
• Add the star anise, cinnamon stick, and cloves to the pot. Simmer for at least 2 hours to create a rich, flavorful broth.
• Strain the broth, discarding the solids. Return the broth to the pot and add fish sauce and sugar. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper if needed.
• Cook the rice noodles according to the package instructions. Drain and set aside.
• In a separate pot, bring water to a boil. Blanch the beef brisket or thinly sliced sirloin for 1-2 minutes or until just cooked.
• Divide the noodles and beef slices between two bowls. Pour the hot broth over the noodles and beef.
• Garnish with fresh basil, mint, cilantro, bean sprouts, sliced chili, and lime wedges. Serve with hoisin sauce on the side.

Tips

• Roasting the bones and aromatics intensifies the broth’s flavor; do not skip this step.
• Use thinly sliced beef for a tender and quick-cooking protein.
• Adjust the broth’s seasoning to your taste with additional fish sauce or lime juice.

Nutritional Information