Pho is what we specialize in, using homemade recipes and traditional Vietnamese cooking techniques to achieve the desired result. Little do most Torontonians know, pho can be made at home. Though it may turn out a little differently, making pho is all about how you use the herbs, spices, and how you prepare the broth. Here is how to approach it.
How Do You Make Pho Broth At Home?
Pho is defined by its broth. You always start with the broth. Any true homemade pho recipe involves homemade broth. Yes, there are broths you can buy at the store. These taste ok. However, commercially-available broth does not quite match the taste of true pho. A store-bought broth can also cut down on the sort of adjustments you can make.
To make homemade pho broth, you simmer bones. Beef broth is made from beef bones and chicken broth from chicken. To make broth at home, it can take all day. You’re boiling down bones alongside common spices. Add your water. Bring your boil up to high heat. Lower it to simmer. Add ingredients. Then, let it sit uncovered for 11-12 hours. That’s how long it can take.
A key to making pho broth at home is to always strain it. You don’t want bits of tendon from chicken or beef bones to remain in your pho. Any solids have to be removed. Skim fat from the top of your pho broth as well.
Next, you taste it. If you haven’t made pho at home before, broth can taste very, very strong. Remember, none of the things you’re going to add after are flavored in any way. Pho noodles and protein aren’t flavored. You’re relying on your broth to give pho its taste and so it should understandably taste strong. That said, if it’s too much, adjusting what you’re stirring in can fix it.
The most important spices you are likely to use in pho broth are star anise, cloves, cinnamon, cardamom, and coriander. It’s also not uncommon to add onions and ginger, although this is entirely up to preference. Naturally, if you prefer a sweeter broth, add some brown sugar. If you desire a saltier broth, season with salt. For those that are used to cooking, it’s relatively basic although in terms of exact amounts of how much to add, it’s all on the person cooking and the broth they want to produce.
Some add sauces to the broth, i.e. a high-quality fish sauce. Just a splash is all you want to add. This will add flavor without clouding up the natural flavors of a beef pho.
What Do You Put Into Homemade Pho Broth?
Once you have your broth prepared and tasting right, here comes the fun part. The pho ingredients you add. You can add almost anything to Vietnamese broth pulling from meat, veggie, herb, and spice.
With meats, they are cooked in the broth. Boiled and cooked. Meats are usually cut thin, eliminating the need to wait long for them to cook all the way through. Alternatively, you can cook the meats separately if that is your desire. It doesn’t always make a whole lot of sense, in terms of if you’re doing this to add sauces or spices. They will only fall off in the broth.
Pho broth stays on the stove a long time, as mentioned. Due to this, you can easily end up overcooking your rice noodles. When making homemade Vietnamese pho, always cook the noodles separately. This way, you control how cooked your noodles get. Then, you add rice noodles in individual serving bowls with the broth.
How you make pho in a bowl is and what you put in first-to-last will always follow the same pattern. Put the noodles in first. Then comes your beef or chicken. Pour in your broth. Finally, you add toppings. These are usually garnished and herbs. Common herbs in pho are fresh mint, cilantro, and Thai basil. Lime wedges, bean sprouts, and Thai bird chilies for a little heat if you want.
This is a simple sketch of how you can make pho at home. It’s certainly doable with the right ingredients, patience, and some skill in the kitchen. If you don’t want to be hunkered around a stove all day though, call up TorontoPHO and put in delivery order. We’ve been serving thousands of bowls all through the pandemic, keeping Torontonians fed all over the city.
Toronto Pho offers the best pho, many classic Vietnamese dishes as well as plant-based alternatives for our vegan/vegetarian friends. Visit one of our 4 locations across Ontario today! Or order online for pickup or delivery through our easy to use app available for both Android and iPhone smart phones.
