Vegetarian Pho With Asparagus And Noodles Recipes

CLASSIC PHO

Steps:

• Have the broth at a simmer in a soup pot.
• Bring a large pot of water to a boil and add the noodles. Cook until just al dente, firm to the bite, following the timing instructions on the package (my wide noodles take about 5 minutes). Drain and divide among 6 large soup bowls. Ladle in a generous amount of hot broth. Sprinkle on half the cilantro, the shallots, half the basil leaves and the green onions. Pass the bean sprouts, chopped chilies, the remaining basil and cilantro, mint sprigs and the lime wedges. Serve with chopsticks for the noodles and soup spoons for the broth.

SIMPLE VEGETARIAN PHO BROTH

Steps:

• Scorch the onion and ginger by holding the pieces above a flame with tongs, or in a dry frying pan if using an electric stove. Turn the pieces until they are scorched black in places on all sides. Slice the ginger lengthwise.
• Combine the scorched onion and ginger with the water, leeks, turnips, carrots, mushroom stems or dried shiitakes, garlic, lemon grass, salt to taste and 1 tablespoon sugar in a large soup pot and bring to a boil. Tie the spices in a cheesecloth bag and add to the soup. Reduce the heat, cover and simmer for 1 hour. Add the fish sauce if using, and simmer for another hour (2 hours total, with or without the fish sauce). Strain through a cheesecloth-lined strainer. Taste and adjust salt and sugar.

VEGETARIAN PHO

Steps:

• Gather dried shitakes in double-lined cheesecloth and tie-off with kitchen twine. Place in a large pot. Add fresh shitake stems, quartered carrots, garlic and cilantro stems.
• Toast cinnamon, cloves, star anise, coriander, fennel and black peppercorns in a small skillet over medium-high, stirring, until fragrant, about 2 minutes. Transfer to pot.
• Preheat broiler. Place onions, halved shallots and halved ginger on a rimmed baking sheet. Broil, turning occasionally, until very charred in spots, 10 to 15 minutes. Transfer to pot.
• Add 16 cups water and season with 2 tablespoons salt. Bring to a simmer over medium-high, skim foam and reduce heat to maintain a low simmer. Cook until broth is reduced by just under half, about 1 hour.
• Remove cheesecloth and reserve dried mushroom caps, then pour broth through a fine mesh strainer lined with cheesecloth. Check seasoning; broth should be well-seasoned.
• Meanwhile, slice fresh shitake caps into 1/2-inch-thick slices. Heat oil over medium-high in a medium nonstick skillet until shimmering. Add mushroom slices and cook until softened and golden brown, about 7 minutes. Add finely chopped ginger and shallot, and cook, stirring, until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add hoisin and stir to coat. Transfer mushroom slices to a bowl to cool slightly.
• Pour boiling water over noodles in a large baking dish or bowl. Let soak 5 minutes, stirring with tongs to release starches, then drain. Repeat, let soak until al dente, about 5 minutes more; drain. Divide among bowls along with reconstituted shitake caps, shitake slices, and julienned carrots. Pour hot broth over noodles and serve with toppings, as desired.

VEGAN PHO WITH CARROTS, NOODLES AND EDAMAME

Steps:

• Have the broth at a simmer in a soup pot. Season to taste with cayenne if you are not using fresh chiles.
• Bring a large pot of water to a boil and add the noodles. Cook until just al dente, firm to the bite, following the timing instructions on the package (my wide noodles take about 5 minutes). Drain and divide among 6 large soup bowls.
• Add the carrots and edamame to the simmering broth and simmer until just tender, about 3 to 4 minutes. Ladle a generous amount of hot broth with the carrots and edamame into the bowls. Divide the tofu among the bowls. Sprinkle on half the cilantro, half the basil leaves and the scallions or chives. Pass the bean sprouts or lettuce, chopped chiles if using, the remaining basil and cilantro (if using), mint sprigs, and the lime wedges. Serve with chopsticks for the noodles and soupspoons for the broth.

VEGETARIAN PHO

Steps:

• To make the broth, heat a large pot over medium-high heat. Add the onion, shallots, garlic, ginger, cinnamon sticks, star anise, and cloves and dry-roast, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables begin to char. Add the stock and soy sauce and bring to a boil over high heat. Turn the heat down to medium-low, cover, and simmer for about 25 minutes. Strain into a clean pot and discard the solids. Taste the broth and add salt if necessary. Keep warm over low heat.
• While the broth is simmering, prepare the rice noodles. Place the noodles in a large bowl. Pour boiling water over the noodles to cover and soak for 20 minutes.
• When you are ready to assemble the soup, add the seitan or tofu to the warm broth and allow to heat through. Drain the soaked rice noodles and divide evenly among 4 to 6 large bowls. Using a slotted spoon, scoop the seitan or tofu out of the broth and distribute among the bowls. Ladle the hot broth over the noodles. Serve the bowls of pho with the scallions, bean sprouts, herbs, lime wedges, hoisin sauce and chili sauce on a seperate platter so that everyone can season their own soup as they wish.

VEGETARIAN PHO WITH ASPARAGUS AND NOODLES

Steps:

• Have the broth at a simmer in a soup pot.
• Steam or blanch the asparagus for 2 to 3 minutes, just until crisp-tender. Set aside.
• Bring a large pot of water to a boil and add the noodles. Cook until just al dente, firm to the bite, following the timing instructions on the package (my wide noodles take about 5 minutes). Drain and divide among 6 large soup bowls. Distribute the asparagus among the bowls and ladle in a generous amount of hot broth. Sprinkle on half the cilantro, half the basil leaves and the green onions. Pass the chopped chilies, mint sprigs and the remaining basil and cilantro for guests to add as desired, and the lime wedges for guests to squeeze on. Serve with chopsticks for the noodles and soup spoons for the soup.