Beef Pho

Vietnamese beef pho is a dish to behold for lovers of Asian food – the fragrant broth combined with thinly sliced sirloin steak and an abundance of fresh herbs will leave you wondering when you get to have it again. If by chance you are prepared to make it tonight, there are a handful of special ingredients to stock up on first: fish sauce, coconut aminos, star anise, bean sprouts and shirataki noodles.

Of course you can use zoodles in place of the shirataki noodles, but if you have the chance to try the latter, take it! But what are they exactly? Shirataki noodles are made from the konjak plant, which is native in the subtropical to tropical zones of eastern Asia. It is similar to a yam, but has no relation to the more commonly known vegetable. They are not like “regular” noodles, and have a funky smell to them. At minimum make sure to rinse the noodles under cold water to subdue the scent. For the best results rinse them well with running water prior to cooking, then add them to a pot of boiling water for 2-3 minutes, drain and rinse. If you’d like you can fry them over medium-high heat in a dry pan to remove as much water as possible. Now they are ready for the serving bowls!

After you are swept off your feet by this amazing beef pho, your taste buds will surely be searching for more Vietnamese inspiration. Paleo pork spring rolls are a must to try, as well as Vietnamese beef stew.

Beef Pho Recipe

Ingredients

• Shirataki noodles or zoodles
• Sirloin steak, thinly sliced
• Fresh mint
• Fresh cilantro
• Fresh basil
• Bean sprouts
• Green onion, sliced
• Jalapeño, sliced (optional)
• Lime wedges

Pho Broth Ingredients

• 4 cups beef stock
• 3 garlic cloves, peeled
• 3 slices fresh ginger
• 1/2 cup coconut aminos
• 1 tbsp. fish sauce
• 2 pieces of star anise
• Juice of 1 lime

Preparation

1. To make the broth, combine all the ingredients in a large pot and bring to a simmer.
2. Allow to cook gently for 30 minutes, then strain to remove the aromatics.
3. If using shirataki noodles, drain and rinse under cold water. Roughly chop noodles if desired.
4. To serve, place the shirataki noodles in serving bowls then top with the sliced steak, herbs, green onion, bean sprouts and sliced jalapeño.
5. Pour the boiling hot broth over the steak (this cooks the steak gently).
6. Serve with lime wedges.