Chicken Pho

 

Chicken Pho (serves 4-6)

    MISE en PLACE - BROTH
3 Chicken Thighs, skin removed

1 Qt Low Sodium Chicken Broth

2 Cups Water

1/2 Onion, peeled, quartered

2 inches Ginger, ¼" slices

½ Stick Cinnamon, broken pieces

3 Whole Cloves

3 Star Anise

½ Tsp Whole Black Peppercorns

2 Teaspoons Sugar

• Everything into a large soup pot.  Bring to a boil
• Turn down to a simmer, cook for 20 minutes.
• Remove Chicken Thighs to a plate, let cool
• Strain stock.  Throw out other ingredients
• Shred Chicken Meat, discard bones and skin.
  
  

    MISE en PLACE - GARNISH

1 med Carrot, peeled, 3" julienne (almost one cup for all veggies)

2 oz Snow Peas, 3" Julienne

2 oz Shitaake Mushrooms, sliced thin

2 oz Bean Sprouts

7 oz Rice Noodles (soak first)

Shredded Chicken

• Bring Broth back to a boil
• Add all garnish but noodles, bring back to a boil
• Once boiling, add noodles and cook for another minute.
• Remove pot from the heat

    MISE en PLACE - ASSEMBLE

¼ Cup Hoisin Sauce

¼  Cup Fish Sauce

¼ Cup Sriracha

¼ of a large bunch of Cilantro, chopped

¼ of a large bunch of Basil, Thai Basil or Mint, chopped

1 Red Jalapeño, Fresno or Red Serrano, Sliced thinly

2 Limes, Quartered

• Stir in Hoisin, Fish Sauce, Sriracha, and Herbs
• Red Chilis are for garnish on top of Pho, they pretty.
• Lime Wedges for squeezing juice into soup when served

So. Many. Notes.

- This only takes an hour start to finish.

- For the Carrots and Snow Peas, do not stack to slice julienne.  Shingle slices left to right,
  then slice.  I'll have a photo her pretty soon to explain this.

- I don't peel the ginger.

- If you're worried about heat, cut the Sriracha in half and put the sauce bottle on the
  table.

- Limes are key, that acid balances everything.

- Yes, Pho traditionally serves the Bean Sprouts, Herbs and Sauces on the side.  This is
  for a family service, not a restaurant.

- I recommend shopping at 99 Ranch, Lion Grocery or other store that specializes in
  Asian ingredients.  Buying this stuff at Whole Foods will double the cost.  Best part, you
  can buy as much Bean Sprout, Snow Peas, Mushrooms, and Chilis as you need instead
  of having to buy 8oz bags from Birdseye.