Recipe File: Quick Pho Bo

MANILA, Philippines - (Good for 4)

400 g boneless beef short ribs (sukiyaki cut)

400 g flat rice noodles (cooked)

Soup Base

6 pcs shallots (pounded)

1 knob ginger (pounded)  

2 pcs cilantro root (washed and scrubbed)

1 tsp star anise (crushed)

1 pc cinnamon stick

Fish sauce (Vietnamese or Thai brand), adjust to taste

Sugar, adjust to taste

1.5 liters water                                                                           

Accompaniments

1 cup bean sprouts                                                             

1 cup cilantro leaves (picked)                                           

1 cup basil (picked)                                                              

1/2 cup spring onions (chopped)                                         

1 pc lime (cut into wedges)                                            

1/2 cup Hoisin sauce                                                             

1/2 cup Sriracha hot sauce                                                   

Procedure:

Usually, pho soup bases take a long time to cook and use a lot of bones and other cuts of meat. With this “quick” and easy recipe you can enjoy the same flavors of good pho in more than half the time!

1. Place the water in a pot and add all the soup ingredients, bring to a boil and simmer for about 30-45 minutes.

2. Season the soup to taste with the fish sauce and sugar and set aside.

3. Place cooked rice noodles in 4 bowls and add the sliced raw beef on top (make sure to use a fatty and strong-flavored cut of meat as this will be the primary beef flavor you will get in your soup).

4. Pour piping-hot soup into the bowls and serve immediately.

5. Top your soup as you please with any of the accompaniments and enjoy!