Dandelion Seeds said: "I'd love the quick and easy "cheater" recipe for Pho, if you have it."
Here it is:
Buy a jar of Pho Vietnamese Soup Instant Paste (I got mine at Ballard Market).
Follow the directions on the back to prepare the broth.
My notes:
I added thin slices of onion to the broth.
I boiled a separate pot of water for the rice noodles. When the water was boiling I added the noodles and turned the heat way down. I left the noodles in the water until they were just tender (about 5 minutes) then drained them (reserving the water).
I cut thin strips of sirloin (I should have had the butcher thinly slice it for me; I can't really cut thin enough slices with a knife) and tossed them in the water I'd used to boil the noodles. I left them in the water just a few minutes. I actually prefer pho with beef balls and I have some of those waiting for the next time I make this.
I then placed the cooked noodles in a bottom of a bowl, ladled the pho broth over the noodles and placed the rare sirloin strips on top.
I made a plate of jalapenos, basil, limes and bean sprouts for garnish. Oh, and don't forget the sriracha!
Thanks! This could become my new fav. quick food. I'm still looking for a good knife sharpening place - have the same trouble with getting the slices to even come close to super-thin.
How sad is it that I had to look up sriracha? I know it as "rooster sauce" or "asian chili sauce." Thanks, wikipedia! :)
In all fairness, isn't it a lot easier (and probably cheaper!) to just go to Than Brothers? I've never had the desire to make pho, because I know I could never make it as good as theirs.... Good luck, though!