Day Twenty-Four: Pho Tom

I don't know why I didn't post this sooner! I love pho! I will say that the broth is what makes pho special and coaxing the proper flavors into is a labor of love whether you're making pho bo (beef), pho ga (chicken), or pho tom (shrimp). Most chefs make a master stock that they freeze and use as needed

Ingredients

Shrimp Stock

2 pounds shrimp shells
2 quarts water
1 onion, unpeeled, quartered
2 ribs of celery, leafy tops included, chopped rough
4 cloves of garlic, smashed and unpeeled

Instructions

Add ingredients to stockpot and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 1-1/2 hours. Strain and let cool. Use immediately, refrigerate or freeze.


Soup Broth

2 Tbsp. whole coriander seeds
4 whole cloves
2 whole star anise
2 quarts shrimp stock
½ onion
1 3-inch chunk of ginger, sliced and smashed with side of knife
1 to 2 Tbsps. sugar
1 to 2 Tbsps. fish sauce
1 lb. (500 grams/16 ounces) dried rice noodles (about ¼ inch/6 mm wide)


Accompaniments:

1 lb. shrimp, peeled, deveined and blanched
2 cups bean sprouts, washed and tails pinched off
Fresh cilantro leaves and tender stems
½ cup diced green onions
½ lime, cut into 4 wedges
Sriracha chili sauce
Hoisin sauce
Sliced fresh chili peppers of your choice

For the Broth: Heat a frying pan over medium heat. Add the coriander seeds, cloves and star anise and toast until fragrant, about 3-4 minutes, stirring frequently.  Spoon the spices into a large pot, add all the remaining broth ingredients and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to medium-low and let simmer for 20 minutes, skimming the surface frequently. Taste and adjust seasonings if preferred. Strain the broth and discard solids.

In the meantime, prepare the noodles as per directions on the package. I usually soak my bahn pho noodles in cold water for an hour to soften them. If you cook them too long and add them to the hot broth they become mushy (trust me I learned the hard way with pho and pad thai). Add the noodles and shrimp to a serving bowl and pour the boiling broth over them. The broth will cook the noodles and shrimp. Add other accompaniments and serve.