Vegetarian Pho
What is Pho??? I honestly had never heard of it, until recently. Our foodie friend, Ben, was coming over for dinner and suggested we make Pho. I was assuming it was a food item, but I really had no clue. He had to explain it:) Once he did, I was sold!
I am sure most of you know what it is, but in case you are unsure here is a little Pho 101. First of all, it is pronounced “Fuh.” It is is a traditional Vietnamese thinly sliced meat and rice-noodle soup dish. The broth is generally made by simmering beef (and sometimes chicken) bones, oxtails, flank steak, charred onion, and spices, taking several hours to prepare.
The spices generally include: cinnamon sticks, cloves, coriander pods, star anise and cardamom. The noodles in Pho are typically rice noodles, dried or fresh. The dish is garnished with ingredients such as green onions, cilantro, Thai basil, fresh Thai chili peppers, lime wedges, and bean sprouts. These items are usually provided on the side. Some sauces such as hoisin sauce and the Thai hot sauce, Sriracha are popular additions as well.
Is everyone feeling educated now? Most of you know we don’t eat beef and are probably wondering why I would try Pho. Well, there are many variations and Ben was nice enough to let us create a vegetarian version. Ben made a homemade vegetable broth for the base of our Pho. We bought the rice noodles and a Pho spice packet from our local Asian Market, you can make your own packets, but this was easier:)
For the veggie version, we steamed bok choy, green beans, broccoli rabe, and snow peas. We also used cooked cubed sweet potatoes. For our toppings we used bean sprouts, lime wedges, chili peppers, Thai basil, cilantro, and green onions.
This really was a fun dinner. I enjoyed trying Pho, even if it wasn’t technically the traditional version. The veggie Pho was outstanding. I loved incorporating so many vegetables into the soup and it was fun letting everyone choose their own toppings and flavors.
Would I make or eat this again? PHO SURE! Sorry there isn’t an exact recipe. If you have questions let me know. If you would like to try a traditional recipe, Steamy Kitchen, has a great one on her blog.
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Never heard of it but looks great! I love all of your ingredients laid out in different bowls- looks so professional!!! Love that you guys have other foodie friends. Have a good one
HAHA!! The “pho sure” part cracked me up
Looks delish!!
HAH, I loved that pho sure coming from you!!!!! This looks great! Something I would totally enjoy!!!!! It’s great your friend came over like that and made part of it. It’s fun to have fellow foodies living close by!
It looks great, so healthy too!
We have a pho resturant on like every corner here! It’s a great change from the typical fried foods. However I’d never thought to make my own…way to go!
wooooooo…….. this is so interesting! I’ll definitely make the vegetarian version of Pho! It must be delicious with so many spices!
I have never heard of it..But I must say it looks so delicious and very healthy. Light and perfect for spring!!
I am bookmarking this one. I love pho but have never actually made it myself. Looks delish!
That looks awesome! Very healthy and alive.
Nice job! Everything looks so fresh and delicious.
I am feeling educated now! Ha, I had no idea what Pho was but it looks good!!
I agree, with VeggieGirl, loved the “pho sure” part ; )
ha ha!
looks like it was a huge success.
and it’s a great way to eat your veggies. I love it with the lime. Came out great!
A great pho! That vegetarian version looks really good!
Cheers,
Rosa
Thanks everyone! It was really fun to make and eat:) I love that everyone can choose their own toppings and the veggie version was really tasty and healthy!
Never heard of this but it looks wonderful and soooo tasty!
All of those vegetables look so pretty.
Pho 101 was exactly what I need – I didn’t know what it was either! It looks delicious and healthy!
Matt adores Pho I should bookmark this & surprise him with it
I absolutely LOVE PHO!! I have it at least once every two weeks– there is a Vietnamese restaurant right near my office. Gorgeous photos!
Oh I saw this on tv once it sounds wonderful!!
Maria It looks great can’t wait to share with my vegan daughter.
Yours looks so tasty! Glad it was a success. I’m always intimidated by Asian-inspired cooking. I can never seem to get it quite right.
my friends in san diego loooooove pho. they consider it their hang-over food; nothing better than a hot bowl of soup + noodles the day after a drinking binge!
i tried pho once before but wasn’t too enthralled by it; i haven’t tried it again but your photos look better than how i remember it!
yay for trying new things!
What a great spread. It looks so healthy and tasty! Great meal.
I’ve only had beef pho but I LOVE IT!!!! This would be a great version that my fiance would eat (he also doesn’t eat beef) Thanks!!
Spectacular! This looks really great. Pho is the national breakfast in Viet Nam.
Oh man, Maria, your pho looks totally fabulous! I may have to make this, ahem, ASAP. I promise to write you an email back as soon as I get done with all my work today, but suffice it to say, I’m so sad I won’t get to see you (for now, that is), and I hope you’re starting to feel better!! Focus on getting well so you can reschedule your trip!
My Dad loves Pho we get from a Vietanemese Restaurant. This looks so good!
Mmm, that looks outstanding! I love that you made a vegetarian version.
This does sound right up your alley with all the veggies. We actually order something like this in all the time, and I just pick around the meat (something about meat from the little corner not-so-clean-looking take out places just gives me the heebie jeebies).
“Pho sure” (giggling). This sounds so interesting! Love the flavors of the veggies and the spices. This will be a fun one to try!
Elyse-I am so bummed we aren’t coming but it is just not a good time with all of my stomach issues. We will come out another time though. I would love to meet you!
How interesting!
I had this at a kids’ birthday party my son attended. The boy’s mom is Vietnamese and made this. It was one of the best dishes I had tasted. I had a blast tasting so many authentic family dishes that day. Yours looks so vibrant and fresh…love it!
this looks delcious! thanks for the compliment! how do i add your blog to follow it?
What a fun dinner. It looks so good!
That looks amazing! I had some once (chicken) prepared by a Vietnamese friend. I really want her to write up the recipe for me sometime.
That looks so delicious! I’ve never had pho (I always pronounced it FO… glad I have never said it in public! haha!) but I have been dying to try it! This is a great recipe!
yum! it’s healthy, pho sure! LOL! just too many slicing/dicing.. but that’s how asian cooking is
)
Wow, I never tried vegetarian version of this Pho, I am it’s delicious as well.
Cheers,
elra