Make Your Own Pho an Entertaining Night with Friends

Super close friends of mine had us over twice now for a create your own pho dinner. This was an awesome experience. Not only was it my first time having pho, but it was a great way to entertain. It is a bit putzy to prepare, but created a fun and entertaining night. Ever since, I’ve been craving more and more.

Here are a few highlights from the night and some ingredients that make a night like this possible.

• box rice noodles
• beef sirloin or shrimp or mushrooms (depends if you want vegetarian)
• salt and pepper
• onion
• ginger
• 5 star anise pod
• 1 cinnamon stick
• scallions
• jalapenos
• fish sauce, hoisin sauce, and/or hot sauce
• 3-4 cups of beef broth (more if you have a larger party then 4)
• cilantro
• bean sprouts
• pork rinds
• limes
  

To Make the Broth….

1. Meanwhile, place a large pot over high heat.
2. Add the onion and ginger to the pot; cook about 4 minutes. Add the broth, 3 cups water, the star anise and cinnamon, reduce the heat and simmer about 20 minutes.
3. Then, add the fish sauce to the broth and boil 5 minutes.
4. Discard the ginger, star anise and cinnamon stick.

While the Broth is Cooking…

1. Prepare the rice noodles according to the label, drain, keep warm.
2. If you want meat you could cook shrimp or sear beef until charred but still rare.
3. For the toppings thinly slice the scallions, tear the cilantro, and cut jalapenos and remove seeds if you want less heat.
4. Just before serving thinly slice the meat.
5. Remove and slice the onion.
6. Divide the noodles among 4 bowl.
7. Top noodles with broth and toppings of preference.

Guests can top the broth with the meat, scallions, cilantro, bean sprouts, pork rinds, mushrooms, jalapenos and onion. A variety of hot sauces are also fun. This can be prepared to anyone’s liking and makes for a super entertaining time. There are so many different ways to make this, but I based this on what I remembered having that night. Deliciousness! 

---

If you like today’s content, feel free to like, comment, and share. Thanks for stopping by! #365daysofnew