Dish Do-Over: Vietnamese Beef Pho
The perfect way to warm up on a cold day! Chef Jo Lusted shows us the hidden fat and calories in this unassuming soup with her delicious Dish Do-Over alternative. Chef Jo's healthier recipe gets the fat down from 29.5 grams to 11.4 grams, and the calories from 692 to 484!
Ingredients
1 teaspoon grapeseed oil
1 medium onion, halved
4 inch piece ginger, quartered
3 cloves garlic, smashed
2 star anise
3 inch stick cinnamon
1 teaspoon fennel seeds
4 whole cloves
6 cups sodium reduced beef stock
2 cups water
1 pound shiritaki or brown rice vermicelli noodles
8 ounces lean beef flank steak, chilled in freezer for 20 minutes
8 sprigs fresh cilantro
8 sprigs fresh basil
8 sprigs fresh mint
4 cups bean sprouts
2 cut into wedges
2-3 red chili peppers, thinly sliced
garnish Sriracha Sauce
garnish low sodium soy sauce
Preparation
- In a large saucepan, heat oil over medium heat.
- Add onion, ginger and garlic and cook, stirring frequently, until garlic is golden.
- Stir in star anise, cinnamon stick, fennel seeds and cloves.
- Add stock and water, increase heat to high and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer for 8 minutes, to allow flavours to blend.
-
Strain broth through a fine-mesh sieve, discarding solids; return broth to pot and bring to a boil.
*(For make-ahead: Broth can be prepared up to 48 hours in advance, covered and refridgerated. Bring to a boil before proceeding with recipe.) - Add noodles to broth and cook according to package instructions.
- Scoop noodles from broth using a fine-mesh sieve and divide among serving bowls.
- Remove beef from freezer and thinly slice across the grain into pieces about 1/8 inch thick.
- Place beef on noodles (the broth will cook it).
- Arrange herbs, bean sprouts, lime wedges and chilies (if using) on a large platter to serve along soup, with Sriracha and tamari, for guests to garnish their bowls.
- Pour broth into bowls and serve immediately.
More Dish Do-Over Recipes
Fish and Chips, Made Healthier
Low-Fat Cobb Salad
Tastier, Healthier, Low-Fat Burger
Healthier Chocolate Chip Cookies
Serving Size: serves 4