| Prep: 20 mins | Cook: 2 hrs | Difficulty: Intermediate | Serves: 6 |
| kcal | fat | saturates | carbs |
| 500 | 15g | 5g | 70g |
| sugars | fibre | protein | salt |
| 5g | 3g | 30g | 2g |
Growing up in a culturally rich family, food has always been more than just sustenance for me. It has been a way to connect, celebrate, respect traditions, and share love. Picking up from the family traditions of serving hearty Italian-American favorites, the installation of creativity and novelty has found place in my culinary experiments as much as the reminiscence of the past. And one such adaptation is the ‘Vietnamese Pho with Fish Mint. As a lover of wholesome, flavorful dishes, discovering this fruit-based recipe was like stumbling upon a treasure.
A Meal That Travels You
The Vietnamese Pho with Fish Mint takes you on a flavor-filled journey, from the bustling streets of Hanoi to the tranquil backwaters of the Mekong Delta. Rich with the aroma of star anise and cloves, cinnamon, and cardamom, contrasted by the freshness of basil, cilantro, and the distinctive hard-to-miss fish mint. The fish fillet, thinly sliced, adds a tender mouthfeel while the bean sprouts offer a crisp crunch with every bite. It’s a carnival of textures and tastes in a bowl, just as vibrant and diverse as the land it originates from.
You can view the recipe here: Vietnamese Pho with Fish Mint Recipe
Play On Health, Harmony, And Flavor
But it’s not just the flavor profile of the Vietnamese Pho with Fish Mint that makes me root for it; it’s also the incredible health benefits packed in it. A hearty bowl of this pho comes loaded with proteins from the fish and beef bone. The rice noodles are a great source of quick energy while the array of fresh herbs add a dose of fiber, along with essential vitamins and antioxidants.
Fish mint, a unique ingredient in this recipe, is traditionally known for its potent anti-inflammatory properties, which are beneficial for digestion and even weight loss! Isn’t it delightful when the dish that tantalizes your taste buds also caters to your well-being?
What’s more, the Vietnamese Pho goes amazingly well with a variety of dishes. It works magic when paired with Daikon and Carrot Pickle, or savory Vietnamese Spring Rolls. The essence though, lies in exploring and finding your own personal favorite match!
With every spoonful of this magical Vietnamese Pho with Fish Mint, you embark on an unforgettable gastronomical adventure, nourishing both your body and soul. While continuing to bring forward those cherished family traditions, I enjoy delving into unexplored culinary territories, and I absolutely love sharing these discoveries with you.
Whether you’re looking for something to warm you up on a cold winter night, or a light yet satisfying meal for a busy weekday, give this recipe a whirl, and I guarantee you’ll fall in love with it just like I did.
What You’ll Need
- 2 lbs of rice noodles
- 1 lb of beef bone
- 8 cups of water
- 1 large onion, quartered
- 2-inch piece of ginger, sliced
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 3 star anise
- 5 cloves
- 1 cardamom pod
- 2 tablespoons of fish sauce
- 1 tablespoon of salt
- 1 tablespoon of sugar
- 1 lb of fish fillet, cut into thin slices
- 2 cups of bean sprouts
- 1 cup of fresh basil leaves
- 1/2 cup of fresh cilantro leaves
- 1/2 cup of fish mint leaves
- 2 limes, cut into wedges
- 2 jalapeno peppers, thinly sliced
- Green onions and fresh herbs for garnishing
Method
Step One
Begin by soaking the rice noodles in cold water for about thirty minutes, then drain and set them aside.
Step Two
In a large pot, combine the beef bones and water. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium heat. Once boiling, reduce the heat to low and let it simmer.
Step Three
Add the quartered onion, sliced ginger, cinnamon stick, star anise, cloves and cardamom pod to the pot.
Step Four
Stir in the fish sauce, salt and sugar. Allow the mixture to simmer for about 2 hours to infuse the broth with flavors.
Step Five
Strain the broth through a fine-mesh sieve, discard the solids and return the broth to the pot.
Step Six
Add the thinly sliced fish fillet to the broth and cook until the fish is cooked through, about 5 to 10 minutes, depending on the thickness of the slices.
Step Seven
Divide the cooked noodles among serving bowls and ladle the hot broth and fish slices over the noodles.
Step Eight
Top each serving with bean sprouts, fresh basil leaves, fresh cilantro leaves and fish mint leaves.
Step Nine
Serve the pho with lime wedges, sliced jalapeno peppers, green onions and fresh herbs on the side for garnishing. Enjoy hot!
