Pho (or Hanoi Soup, or faux Pho)

pho (or Hanoi soup)

a nontraditional version of the traditional North Vietnamese Beef Noodle Soup

for each two people:

1/2 16 oz. package rice noodles (wide) (bahn pho thuonh hang/chantaboom rice stick)
1 quart broth (your choice)
one head of garlic, skinned and otherwise denuded, but whole
2 T peppercorns
2 T scallions, finely chopped
2 T cilantro, finely chopped
2 T sesame oil
1 T chili oil
1 T fish sauce (or soy)
1 T lime juice
1 T soy sauce
2 t sugar
a pinch each: anise, tsau-kuo, cinnamon, ginger, allspice and salt (or use a packaged pho spice kit like Gia Vi Nan Pho)
bitesized cooked nuggets of goodies, such as beef, pork, chicken, seafood, tofu, and/or gluten
a salad plate made up of mint, thai basil or cilantro, mung sprouts, hot chilies, sliced, lime wedges, and any veggies you might like

recommended condiments: sesame oil, chili oil, fish sauce, soy sauce, chili sauce (such as Tuong ot Sriracha)

french bread and butter (a common side and good in case the pho is too spicy)

The traditional version is a beef noodle soup. Homemade beef broth, lots of beef, and lots of rice stick noodles. Served with a big tray of herbs and slices of lime. Still, you can embrace the idea without a lot of cooking -- or without betraying your dietary limitations.

Put the stock, garlic and pepper in a pot and bring it to a simmer. Add everything but noodles, scallions and cilantro, and simmer for 5 minutes. Right before serving, add cilantro and scallions, and if desired, the protein goodies (I usually put the protein on the table with the salad plate so people can dress their pho the way they like).

Meanwhile, boil enough water to soak noodles. Get a large enough bowl or pot to hold all the noodles and enough water to cover. Let sit for 10-20 minutes and no longer -- then drain. If you will be eating immediately, add to the soup. (But these noodles turn to paste quickly...)

Grab a large bowl for each person; fill maybe half way with noodles, and 3/4 of the way with broth, then add the goodies, condiments, and lime juice to taste.

feeds 2 as a meal, more as a first course.