Fi Fi Pho Fum

Today it's cold outside.  it's snowing, so it's time for something that will warm me up.  Pho is one of these simply delicious and light dishes.  The first time I had Pho was many many years ago with the boys.  I know both of my friends Eric and Steve will each take credit for introducing me to this dish, but either way it’s a pleasure to eat.  The first time I went with them, Steve ate one of the chilies that are typically served with Pho.  What happened next is pretty much unbelievable.  It’s so much in fact, that I’m not even going to tell you about it, because if you read it.... you’d say “that’s ridiculously unbelievable”.  All I’m going to say is, I would highly suggest that you do not eat an entire one all at once.  I’m just saying.  In life there are great ideas, bad ideas and as bad as eating an entire chile ideas.

Over the years it has become a staple Boys Night activity.  And although we all live in different parts of the country now, every time we all get together, we eat Pho and reminisce a little about all the silly things we did in the old days.

Pho originates in lovely land of Vietnam and made it's first appearances in the earl 1920s.  It was originally sold in boxes and gained popularity, then Pho restaurants started popping up all over.  Anthropologists say that the word Pho comes from the Cantonese word for noodle… FUN.  Which it is.  Pho is fun, no denying it!    

After the Vietnam war, Pho was brought to many countries by fleeing refugees throughout the 1970s.  It's sad that it takes something like war to spread something as great as food, but in fact, that just seems to be human nature.  Pho was dubbed by CNN the number 28 most delicious food in the world, along side Poutine at number 44, and maple sirup 34.  However the list is by no means great or accurate as far as I'm concerned.  There is not a single cheese on there, France only has one item on the list (Croissant), German Sausages are not listed at all…. so it's about right for CNN…  It's a the world's 50, but 80% of the countries are excluded.  That's about right.  If you want the entire list you can read it here [CNN World 50 most delicious foods].

Ingredients:

• Chicken stock
• Large onion
• Ginger (a chunk about the size of your thumb) cut into slices
• Cinnamon
• Salt & Pepper
• Thin steak
• Green onions (chopped)
• Radish (sliced thin)
• Cilantro (chopped)
• Lime
• Sriracha Chili Sauce
• Rice noodles
• Bean Sprouts

Directions:

1- In a large pot, put your broth, onion (cut into 4), ginger, a pinch of salt, a good dash of pepper and healthy dash of cinnamon (the cinnamon is a must, otherwise it will taste completely bland).  Add a cup of water.  Bring to a boil.  Turn the heat down to med, and continue to cook for 10min.

2- Strain the broth and discard the onion and ginger.

3- Put the broth back on the heat and cook your noodles in the broth.

4- Cut your steak into very thin slices. 

5- Once your noodles are cooked the way you like, it’s time to serve.

6- Take some of the steak and place in your Pho bowl.

7- Cover with the boiling broth and noodles.

8- add some green onions, bean sprouts, cilantro and a few slices of the radish.  Squeeze half a lime and add sriracha to taste.

TIPS:

The steak will cook immediately as you add the hot broth.  However it must be sliced very thin for that to happen.  Also, it is important that you boil the broth at the beginning.  If you are hungry and you cheat and don’t simmer it all together it doesn’t taste nearly as good.

Serving instructions:

Serve in a Pho bowl with chop sticks and a spoon.