Simple Beef Pho

Recipe via Make It Ontario Beef

Serves: 4

There’s nothing “faux” about the taste of this simple and fresh Vietnamese-inspired Pho. With just a few fresh ingredients and pantry items, this recipe can be prepared in record time using up leftover beef strips.

Ingredients

• 1 tbsp sesame oil 15 mL
• 1 cup  sliced onions 250 mL
• 4  slices peeled fresh ginger  4
• 1/2 tsp  5-spice powder (or pinch each of ground cumin, cinnamon, cloves and nutmeg) 2 mL
• 2-1/2 cups  reduced-sodium beef broth 625 mL
• 2-1/2 cups  water 625 mL
• 1 tbsp  fish sauce, or to taste 15 mL
• 4 oz  dried rice stick noodles 125 g
• 1/2 lb  *pre-cooked rare Ontario beef, cut into strips 250 g
• 2 cups  fresh bean sprouts 500 mL
• 1/4 cup  each finely-minced packed fresh cilantro, basil, and/or mint leaves 50 mL
• 1/4 cup sliced green onion 50 mL

Garnishes: 

•   Hot sauce
•   4 lime wedges

Directions

1. In a large saucepan, heat oil over medium-high heat until hot. Add onions and sauté, stirring occasionally, until lightly browned, about 5 minutes. Stir in ginger and 5-spice. Add broth and water and simmer, uncovered, 10 minutes. Stir in fish sauce.
2. Put noodles in a heat-proof bowl. Pour in enough boiling hot water to cover noodles to soak until tender, about 3 minutes (or follow package instructions).
3. Drain rice noodles and return to its bowl. Ladle broth into individual bowls. Divide noodles among bowls. Top with beef. Serve with side bowls of sprouts, cilantro, basil and/or mint, hot sauce, lime and fish sauce so each person can garnish their soup to their preference.

Notes:

• The rare beef will continue to cook in the hot broth.