Pho tôm (shrimp pho)
Pho tom is a delightful Vietnamese dish that perfectly combines succulent shrimp, tender rice noodles, and a rich, aromatic broth.
Ingredients
Instructions
Optionally, roast the aromatics. Preheat your oven to 400°F. To char the onion and ginger, place them on a baking sheet and roast for about 30 minutes until charred. Toast the star anise, cloves, cinnamon stick and coriander seeds in a dry pan over medium heat until fragrant.
In a large pot, add the water and bring it to a boil. Add the shrimp shells and heads, charred onion, garlic, and ginger to the pot. Add the cinnamon sticks, star anise, cloves, and coriander seeds. Lower the heat to a simmer and cook for about 30 minutes.
Strain the broth to remove the solids, then return it to the pot. Add the fish sauce, salt, and sugar. Adjust seasoning to taste.
While the broth is simmering, cook the rice noodles according to the package instructions. Once cooked, drain and rinse the noodles with cold water to stop the cooking process.
In a skillet, heat the vegetable oil over medium heat. Add the shrimp and cook until they turn pink and opaque, about 2-3 minutes per side.
Divide the cooked noodles among four bowls. Top each bowl with cooked shrimp. Ladle the hot broth over the noodles and shrimp.
Notes
Customize your pho with garnishes. Add bean sprouts, fresh basil, and cilantro to your liking. Squeeze lime wedges for a zesty touch. Add sliced jalapenos for a spicy kick. Drizzle hoisin sauce and sriracha for extra flavor.
If you buy whole shrimp and prepare them home, buy 1 1/2 to 2 pounds. Peel them and deveine them, reserving heads and shells. Add the shrimp shells and heads to the broth for more flavor.
If your shrimp are already prepared, you could get a few whole shrimp to add to the broth for flavor.
The preparation and cooking times have been estimated assuming already peeled and deveined shrimp and omitting roasting the aromatics.
Variations
Adjust the number of jalapenos or add chili flakes if you prefer more heat.
Swap shrimp for other proteins like diced fish or tofu.
Use vegetable broth and tofu to create a vegetarian-friendly version of pho.
Source
Food in the Asia