Vegan Pho
Pho is Vietnam’s iconic comfort food. A combination of noodles and veggies in an aromatic broth. Many traditional pho can be made with veggies keeping it plant-based. The principles should, however, remain the same. Namely a foundation of roasted spices and charred aromatics, coupled with a slow-simmered broth. This recipe adds tofu, bok choy, broccoli, mushroom and baby corn. Hearty rice noodles complete the dish, making it filling yet light.
I’ve known someone to not enjoy Pho. It is one of those dishes that everyone seems to look forward to.
There are different recipes to make the broth and accompanying veggies, and as a result Pho becomes a great recipe to get rid of any left over veggies you may have in your fridge.
This recipe may take a little time to prepare, but the result is always deeply comforting. Certainly a great meal for days when you need something warm to pick up your spirits.
Ingredients
2 large cinnamon sticks (or several small pieces)
4 star anise
8–10 cloves
1 black cardamom pod
2 onions, chopped
3-4 slices of ginger
5–6 garlic cloves
3 sticks celery
3 carrots
2 sweetcorn cobs
½ apple
200 g mushrooms, sliced
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 block tofu, sliced
2 tbsp soy sauce
1 bunch tenderstem broccoli, steamed
8-10 baby corn, steamed
1 head bok choy, sautéed
200 g rice noodles
Instructions
1. Dry roast cinnamon, star anise, cloves, and black cardamom in a pan until fragrant.
2. Add onions, ginger, and garlic. Dry roast until charred and slightly crisp.
3. Transfer to a large pot with celery, carrots, sweetcorn, apple, and water.
4. Bring to a boil, then simmer for 45–60 minutes.
5. Strain the broth, discarding the cooked vegetables and aromatics.
6. For the filling, sauté mushrooms with garlic. Separately, sauté tofu with soy sauce until golden. Steam broccoli and baby corn, and sauté bok choy.
7. Cook rice noodles according to package instructions. Drain.
8. Place noodles in a bowl, arrange mushrooms, tofu, broccoli, bok choy, and baby corn on top. Pour hot broth over.
9. Adjust with extra soy sauce or salt as needed.
Nutritional Information
Approx. per bowl:
Calories: ~350
Protein: ~18 g
Carbs: ~50 g
Fat: ~8 g
