Quick Faux Pho Food

QUICK BEEF PHO

Steps:

• For the Pho Stock: Add the beef base and 1 quart water to a 2-quart (1.9-L) saucepan and bring to a low boil. Add the fish sauce, sugar, ginger, onion and salt to the stock and reduce the heat to a simmer. Wrap the cloves, star anise and cinnamon stick in a piece of cheesecloth and tie it into a satchel. Add the satchel to the broth and simmer for at least 30 minutes, but no more than 45 minutes.
• Around the 30 minute mark, taste the broth to see that the spice flavors have been extracted, and adjust seasonings if necessary. Strain the aromatics and satchel from the broth, return to a sauce pot, and reserve for assembly.
• For the assembly: Bring the broth back to a simmer. In a separate pot, bring water to a boil. Using a sieve or basket, quickly dip the noodles into the water until they are hot and al dente, 10 to 20 seconds. Drain the excess water from the noodles and distribute the noodles between 4 bowls.
• Top each bowl with some sliced beef, basil, bean sprouts, cilantro, jalapeno, scallions and onion, or as each person wishes. Ladle in enough broth to cover the ingredients in the bowl. Garnish with a lime wedge. I like to serve pho with Sriracha and hoisin sauce.

FAUX PHO

Steps:

• Heat oil in a medium pot over medium heat. Add onion, cut side down, garlic, and ginger. Cook, stirring occasionally, until garlic is golden, 3-4 minutes. Add 1 1/2 cups water, broth, star anise, and cinnamon; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer until flavors meld, 7-8 minutes. Add mushrooms; simmer 2 minutes. Add scallion. Season with salt.
• Meanwhile, boil ramen until tender but still firm to bite. Drain; divide among bowls.
• Add beef slices to soup; simmer until just cooked through, about 20 seconds. Using tongs, transfer beef to bowls.
• Discard ginger, garlic, star anise, and cinnamon; ladle broth into bowls. Garnish with bean sprouts, basil, and sliced chiles.

QUICK FAUX PHO

Steps:

• Put broth in a large pot. Cover and bring to a boil over medium-high heat.
• NOTE - I like to simmer the broth with a 1" piece of fresh ginger (quartered) and a cinnamon stick for 30 minutes, remove the items and bring to a boil. It makes it not-so-quick, but it is more flavorful.
• Add the noodles, reduce heat to medium and boil gently, uncovered, 6-8 minutes or until noodles are tender, stirring occasionally.
• Stir in the spinach and basil for the last minute of cooking time.
• Divide beef among 4 serving bowls. Ladle soup over the pastrami, sprinkle with green onions and drizzle with chili sauce.
• Serve with lime.

FAUX PHO - QUICK AND EASY VIETNAMESE STYLE NOODLE SOUP

Steps:

• Soak rice noodles in very, hot tap water.
• Heat oil in a large, deep skillet on medium hot.
• Saute garlic, ginger, and red pepper flakes, with the beef until the beef is 85% cooked through. .
• Add broth, fish sauce, spices and sugar.
• Bring to a boil, then simmer for 10 minutes.
• Rinse rice noodles and chop into 4-5 inch pieces.
• Place noodles in bowls, pour broth and meat over noodles.
• Add any or all garnish desired.
• Personal Note: I like mine with super spicy so I add tons of jalapeno and siracha sauce, along with all the veggies and herbs. You can also do this with pork, fish, shrimp, or chicken, or use veggie stock and tofu if you want to keep it vegetarian.

FAUX PHO

Steps:

• Cook the ramen according to package directions, using only half the seasoning packet. Add lime juice, sugar, fish sauce and red pepper flakes.
• When noodles are fully cooked, add steak and immediately turn off heat. Transfer to a serving bowl (the residual heat will cook the steak) and add bean sprouts and herbs.

FAUX PHO BO (VIETNAMESE BEEF NOODLE SOUP)

Steps:

• In a 6 quart stockpot, combine broth, onion, ginger, lemongrass, cinnamon, and peppercorns (tie the seasonings loosely in cheesecloth for easier removal). Bring to a boil, reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 1 hour.
• Meanwhile, prepare rice noodles and garnishes.
• Arrange bean sprouts, basil, cilantro, chilies, and limes on a large platter.
• To prepare rice noodles, bring 4-6 quarts of water to a boil. Add rice noodles and stir to separate. Cook until just barely tender, about 2-3 minutes. Drain well. If not quite ready to serve, rinse noodles and drain again.
• To serve, remove seasonings (except onions) from broth; keep broth hot.
• Place ½ cup rice noodles in each of 6 large, deep bowls.
• Arrange thinly sliced beef over noodles, fanning out to increase surface area. Ladle very hot broth over beef and stir to cook.
• Serve immediately. Pass garnish platter, hoisin sauce, fish sauce, and sambal oelek or sriracha sauce for people to add as desired.