Vietnamese Penicillin – This is NOT your Bubby’s Chicken Soup
October 14, 2009 at 6:12 am | Posted in Asian, Daring Cooks, Dessert, Dinner, Lunch, Pasta, Poultry, Soups/Stews, Vegetables | 72 CommentsTags: Chicken Soup, Cilantro, Daring Cooks, Hoisin, Pho Ga, Rice Noodles, Snickers, Soup, Vietnamese, Wontons
One cool aspect of food blogging is that someone in the publishing world might see your blog and think you’ve got the skill, creativity, chops etc..to write and maybe even photograph your own cookbook. There have been several bloggers who are working on, or have cookbooks published, and one of them just so happens to be this month’s Daring Cooks host, Jaden of Steamy Kitchen. This gal’s got mad talent, and her blog is a joy to ogle, drool over and read, so I can completely understand why she’s now the author of a cookbook that’ll most definitely sell like hotcakes. Congrats, Jaden!
The October 2009 Daring Cooks’ challenge was brought to us by Jaden of the blog Steamy Kitchen. The recipes are from her new cookbook, The Steamy Kitchen Cookbook. If you’re a lover of Asian food, this book is right up your alley. If you’re not, it’ll make you one! *Not so subliminal message* Buy this Phoking book! 
Thanks for sharing these recipes with us, Jaden!
As you’ve probably figured out by the title of this entry, we’re making soup, but not just any soup, Vietnamese Chicken Pho soup. Pho is pronounced ‘fuh’, so you just KNOW I’m going to have a field day with this. To say this soup is fanphokingtastic is an understatment. This soup is fanphokingtastic and fanphokingtabulous. We were given the option of making the chicken aka Pho Ga soup (I’m assuming ‘Ga’ means chicken??), or Jaden’s beef version..not to mention seafood, pork or vegetarian/vegan if desired. I decided to stick with the chick, but I’ll most definitely be trying her beef version, especially after smelling, tasting, almost wanting to bathe in, the chicken version.
Straight from the mouth of Jaden - So what is Vietnamese Pho? Well, it’s like the most insanely delicious noodle soup popular in Vietnam. The broth is simmered for hours and hours with either beef knuckle/leg bone or with a whole chicken. Other accompaniments include ribbons of rice noodles, fresh herbs like cilantro or basil, a wedge of lime or lemon, fresh bean sprouts and fresh sliced chilies if desired.
What makes Pho so different than any other type of noodle soup is the spices that go into the simmering broth. Warm spices like coriander, star anise, cloves, cinnamon, fresh ginger transform an ordinary broth into a very authentic Vietnamese Pho.
Jaden also gave us a choice of making her quick version of Pho Ga or making her long simmering pot of homemade stock ‘version’. Since I had several quarts of homemade chicken stock in my freezer, I decided to make the quick version. This frozen stock is the bee’s knees (first time I ever used that phrase..swear on it), and most definitely Bubby’s version..so I suppose you could call my Pho Ga Jewishnamese Penicillin.
What makes this soup so special, as mentioned above, whether it be the long, simmering version, or the quick version, is the spices and aromatics. OH.MY.GOD, the smell of this soup simmering will you bring you to your bee’s knees (second time).You char an onion and a knob of ginger, scraping off the charred skins, and toast some star anise, coriander seeds and cloves, then dump them into a pot along with sugar, fish sauce, a whole chicken and water (long, simmering version) or chicken stock and one whole chicken breast (shorty). Bring to a boil, lower to a simmer, and VOILA, phoking heaven with lots of phoking accoutrements and a damn good cure for my cold (on it’s last legs, but still annoying).
Finally, Jaden also has a great recipe for chocolate wontons which we were asked to make along with the soup. The fun part is..whoever comes up with the most unique, creative sweet wonton filling, will win a copy of her new cookbook.
Well, IS THERE ANY AWARD FOR THE LEAST UNIQUE AND CREATIVE WONTON FILLING?? If so, I WIN!
I took a Snickers bar, chopped it into pieces and that’s my filling. Gotta admit, it was really phoking good! ALRIGHT, ALRIGHT, ALRIGHT, you know me..I couldn’t just sit with that, so I also made some unique PB & J (My spiced plum chutney from the Dosa challenge, hot chili peanuts and coconut) mini eggroll wontons at the last minute (try 10 minutes ago). Now, I feel better. Disturbing, huh? Truth is..they sucked, but I tried.
As always, please check out the Daring Cooks Blogroll for all the cool Pho’s and super creative sweet wontons. I saw some in the Daring Kitchen forum, and I know one thing for sure..Phogeddaboutit, I ‘ain’t’ winning squat! lol
Pho Ga (Vietnamese Chicken Soup)
Chicken Pho Broth:
2 tbsp. whole coriander seeds
4 whole cloves
2 whole star anise
2 quarts (2 liters/8 cups/64 fluid ounces) store-bought or homemade chicken stock
1 whole chicken breast (bone in or boneless)
½ onion
1 3-inch (7.5 cm) 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:
*2 cups (200 grams/7 ounces) bean sprouts, washed and tails pinched off
Fresh cilantro (coriander) tops (leaves and tender stems)
½ cup (50 grams/approx. 2 ounces) shaved red onions
½ lime, cut into 4 wedges
Sriracha chili sauce
Hoisin sauce
Sliced fresh chili peppers of your choice
DIRECTIONS:
1.To make the Chicken Pho Broth: heat a frying pan over medium heat. Add the coriander seeds, cloves and star anise and toast until fragrant, about 3-4 minutes. Immediately spoon out the spices to avoid burning.
2.In a large pot, add all the ingredients (including the toasted spices) and bring to a boil.
3.Reduce the heat to medium-low and let simmer for 20 minutes, skimming the surface frequently.
4.Use tongs to remove the chicken breasts and shred the meat with your fingers, discarding the bone if you have used bone-in breasts.
5.Taste the broth and add more fish sauce or sugar, if needed. Strain the broth and discard the solids.
6.Prepare the noodles as per directions on the package.
7.Ladle the broth into bowls. Then divide the shredded chicken breast and the soft noodles evenly into each bowl.
8.Have the accompaniments spread out on the table. Each person can customize their own bowl with these ingredients.
* I LIKE the tails on the bean sprouts, so I chose to leave them on.
Chocolate Wontons
1 large egg
1 tbsp. water
12 wonton wrappers, defrosted (keep wrappers covered with damp towel)
12 pieces or nuggets of chocolate (use any type of chocolate you like)
High-heat oil for frying (i.e., vegetable oil, corn oil)
Confectioners’ sugar (icing sugar) for sprinkling
DIRECTIONS:
1.In a small bowl, whisk together the egg and water to make an egg wash.
2.On a clean, dry surface lay 1 wonton wrapper down witha point toward you, like a diamond.
3.Place 1 piece of chocolate near the top end of the wrapper.
4.Brush a very thin layer of the egg wash on the edges of the wrapper.
5.Fold the bottom corner of the wrapper up to create a triangle and gently press to remove all air from the middle. Press the edges to adhere the sides. Make sure the wrapper is sealed completely.
6.Repeat with the remaining wrappers and chocolate pieces.
7.Keep the folded chocolate wontons covered under plastic wrap or a damp paper towel to prevent them from drying.
8.In a wok or medium pot, pour in 2 inches (5 cm.) of high-heat oil.
9.Heat the oil to 350º F (180º C) and gently slide a few of the chocolate wontons into the hot oil. Make sure you don’t crowd the chocolate wontons.
10.Fry the wontons for 1 ½ minutes, then flip over and fry another minute until both sides are golden brown and crisp.
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Wow! I can just smell the pho from here. And plum jam with spicy peanuts sound just phofect (I had to try right?:)). Great job.
Comment by shaz— October 14, 2009 #
Unique PB & J (spiced plum chutney, hot chili peanuts and coconut) wontons sound like a winner to me Lisa. And the pictures of the chicken phở look fabulous love that line of chillies in the stock this is one wonderful soup so fresh and light yet so full of flavour. Well done on this challenge good to hear the cold is slmost gone.
Comment by Audax Artifex— October 14, 2009 #
I love pho noodle soup! Your bowl of soup is picture perfect. Love the chocolate wontons too. I would love to try your PB&J version. All those flavors together sound wonderful!
Comment by Palidor— October 14, 2009 #
Your PB&J is totally creative!! And I wouldn’t knock a Snickers filling…mmm snickers….great job w/ the challenge!
Comment by Jenn— October 14, 2009 #
The soup looks outstanding and I just love your PB & J filling for wontons, how wonderfully delicious!
Comment by Natasha - 5 Star Foodie— October 14, 2009 #
I’ll gladly come over everyday if it means I’d have a meal of pho and snicker wontons
Snickers! It’s genius!
Comment by Karen— October 14, 2009 #
WOW the soup looks awesome and great photos too they are PhoGabulous. Good luck in the ALCS.
Comment by Dan— October 14, 2009 #
You got to be kidding right? I am the one going to win the LEAST CREATIVE wonton filling… I just did a little piece of chocolate in the wonton… haha.. still delicious though but well.. not so creative I guess… Your pho looks awsome! O and by the way; I love the idea of putting snickers in the wontons! I think that IS actually very creative!
Comment by Simone (junglefrog)— October 14, 2009 #
Your Pho looks delightful and so comforting! Those wonton wraps look delicious too!
Cheers,
Rosa
Comment by Rosa— October 14, 2009 #
You made pho sound both fun and delicious – nice write-up. And anything with Snickers HAS to be good.
Comment by Dale— October 14, 2009 #
Phu-ummilious! Ha-ha! You’re a nut!
Lisa your photos are super sharp and clear…..new lens?
Hope you’re feeling better!
~ingrid
Comment by ingrid— October 14, 2009 #
You are too pho-nny!
And darn it all, I don’t even like Asian food, but this looks and sounds SO good. (I used to love it, then 11+ years ago when I was pregnant with my oldest, I couldn’t stand the smell or even mention of Asian food. Kind of annoying.) BUT, when I do “give in” and have some or even cook it, I like it, so–weird!
Love all your yummy looking food here and for the record, I’d totally go for the Snickers wonton!
Comment by Katrina— October 14, 2009 #
Pho-bulous dahling. You, my dear, are the bees knees.
Comment by Alana— October 14, 2009 #
Pho is my favorite soup. Since leaving Seattle (a hot bed of Asian food and where I worked with some awesome Vietnamese chefs) 6 years ago…I have missed it so very much. I can’t wait to try this version!
Comment by ente— October 14, 2009 #
I could lick the screen when I’m looking at your wontons!!! Your Pho looks very delicious too
Great job – as always. Cheers!
Comment by Anula— October 14, 2009 #
Wonderful job, both your pho and your wontons are so appetizing. I love that you said phoking, I laughed out loud!
Comment by Frenchie— October 14, 2009 #
Phok Yeah Girl! Looks great
Love your wonton varieties. Hope you are feeling 100% better!
Comment by Rose— October 14, 2009 #
Hehe Love it! Great post, beautiful photos, and awesome wontons =D. Hope you get over the cold soon (I just finished one myself) – not fun.
Comment by Lauren— October 14, 2009 #
Snickers wonton! I phoking love it haha. The chicken version sounds great, I’ll have to give it a go
Comment by Minh— October 14, 2009 #
Oh, great job! I loved all your phoking comments (I so wanted to ladle my blog with them, but I tried to restrain myself…it was hard). I think your egg rolls rock my socks off. I want one.
Comment by Jenni— October 14, 2009 #
Wow the mini egg roll wontons sound amazing! Great pictures!
Comment by chef_d— October 15, 2009 #
Awwwesome as always!! I agree, this was phoking amazing and you’re right, it’s the penicillin for people who are allergic. I always have pho or something similar when I am not feeling well.
PS, the wontons look great too!
Comment by Esi— October 15, 2009 #
your pictures are breathtaking and all your food looks delicious.
Comment by Wic— October 15, 2009 #
Hey Lisa Michele,
I hope you are okay? Your Pho ga looks fab!! Tasty too!
Comment by Sophie— October 15, 2009 #
Oh… that looks gooooooooood! I wonton some Phod! Sorry… a bit lame, I know *blush*
Looks fantastic as always
Comment by MandyM— October 15, 2009 #
Okay, first, you have some rockin’ photos here. Second, your snickers wontons are straight outta Martha Stewart and your pho derivatives crack me up, take it to the bridge!
Comment by art and lemons— October 15, 2009 #
Really enjoyed this post! Pictures are amazing.
Comment by debbmarie— October 15, 2009 #
Great job, as usual! And at least your wontons didn’t explode in the pan (like half of mine did). You should totally try the beef version though, you’ll love it!
Comment by Valerie— October 15, 2009 #
Lisa, that is one beautiful and great-color-coordinated bowl of Pho. Love love love it! And the wontons are crispy and scrumptious!
Regards
Kris
Comment by Bake in Paris— October 15, 2009 #
Don’t count yourself out. You put out another top notch blog with absolutely delicious looking pho. I think I had the H1N1 and should have made the chicken. Would rather inject myself with your pho than the government innoculation.
I also am having charred onion envy. Great work.
Comment by climbhighak— October 16, 2009 #
Gorgeous photos. Who wouldn’t want to make this soup with all of that beautiful produce? I haven’t made the leap from Daring Bakers to Daring Cooks yet, but this challenge really makes me want to.
Comment by Beth— October 16, 2009 #
Um, yea, that does look seriously delicious… and sorta healthy to boot! Nice job (fun post
)
Comment by Jacque— October 16, 2009 #
This is a very healthy and delicious looking soup…
and what not to like with all the flavours you used I bet you
you was hungry from the aroma filling your kitchen.
I like all kind of chicken soups they are healhty and comforting .
like Your chocolate Wontons too.
Comment by Arlette— October 16, 2009 #
It sounds heavenly. Great pictures!
Comment by Wendy— October 17, 2009 #
Thanks Lisa for visiting my blog, so that I could discover yours! Lovely pics! And thanks for the warm welcome to the Daring Cooks.
Comment by Miriam/The Winter Guest— October 18, 2009 #
Hey your pictures is very nice too
and the wontons look so beautiful, and apatasing 
Comment by VeganPower— October 18, 2009 #
Thanks for the comments re: my pho! your’s looks delectable! I’m truly addicted to this soup now!
Comment by swerit— October 18, 2009 #
Your pho is so clear and beautiful! I don’t think there is anything boring about Fried Snickers Nutella!
Comment by Barbara— October 18, 2009 #
It was an amazing soup. I have not had it before at a restaurant. I liked the flavors.
Yours of course looks amazing. You always have such great photos!
Comment by Lori— October 18, 2009 #
Wonderful pics of the ingredients and finished soup. I hope the Yankees end up as charred as the ginger and onion.
Comment by sijeleng— October 18, 2009 #
Your soup is a work of art – congratulations! Those charred onions and ginger look awesome… Love the PB&J too!
Comment by Monkeyshines— October 19, 2009 #
What a delicious soup. Such perfect soup is very welcome in my family.
Comment by elra— October 19, 2009 #
Thank you for your nice comment on my blog. I loved your Pho. It seems so delicious and the picture is awesome.Your won Tons are yummy. Well done!
Comment by Maria Beatrix— October 19, 2009 #
That looks great! Really and your chocolate wontons would have been snapped up in a second in this household
Comment by Lorraine @NotQuiteNigella— October 19, 2009 #
Your photos are always so bright and cheery. I love ‘em! And, your PB&J egg-rolls sound delish.
Comment by Cheri— October 19, 2009 #
You Pho and wontons look phenomenal..wow. Congrats, wish I was there to try them
Comment by Cheap Ethnic Eatz— October 19, 2009 #
Your eggroll wontons are deadly! Please hide them.
Everything looks so stunningly yummy. You’re the queen of the kitchen!
Comment by Singing Horse— October 19, 2009 #
now I wish I would have chosen red chilies! They look really pretty next to the herbs.
Comment by Olga— October 19, 2009 #
Wow those look pho-nominal!!!
Comment by Charli— October 19, 2009 #
Your pho look absolutely mouth watering…and the chocolate eggroll very yummie! What a combo! Great pictures as always
Comment by Juliana— October 19, 2009 #
Everything about your pho soup looks phenomenal! I love the wonton dessert. Your pictures are beautiful too
Comment by Shandy— October 19, 2009 #
Wow, what an amazing post! I don’t even know where to begin … the laughs, the soup, the wantons?! All spectacular. I want a bowl of this for lunch and one of your snickers wantons for dessert … for phoking real!
Comment by Diva— October 21, 2009 #
The pho looks really good… but those wontons… I can’t get the chocolate ones out of my head! Brilliant idea to fry some snickers – they are already bad for your waistline anyway – why not just throw everything out of the door! I definitely would for this!
Comment by trissalicious— October 22, 2009 #
I enjoyed reading your post. Also, I liked seeing your step-by-step photos of the pho. This was a cool challenge!
Comment by Lynne— October 22, 2009 #
Yummm! Pictures look amazing
Comment by Snuggle Puppy— October 22, 2009 #
These photos are amazing and I love your fried wontons – too delicious for a Friday morning – makes me want to go and skip the rest of the day and just cook something tasty!
Comment by Catherine @ Domestic Joy— October 22, 2009 #
Wow I’m so behind on my blog stalking! Loved this post! I especially LOVED the dessert aspect-both wonton desserts looked and sounded amazing! You are so creative and you never disappoint!
Comment by Jill— October 23, 2009 #
Drop dead gorgeous DC contribution! A nice way to start a meal, especially if it ends with those decadent wontons
Comment by Y— October 25, 2009 #
Lisa… Your pho and wontons look terrific! I’m sitting her and my stomach is growling just looking at the photos. Also, a wonderful write up with a lot of humor intertwined. I think the carnival food concessioners will steal your idea of snickers wontons and pbj wontons with chutney. Both sound decadent and delicious.
Comment by John (Eat4Fun)— October 25, 2009 #
Lisa your pho and wontons look amazing.
Comment by Kitchen Goddess— October 27, 2009 #
I have a serious weakness for Vietnamese soups. This one looks spectacular. Just perfect really any time of year – even summer with that refreshing lime.
Are you doing the DB challenge this month?
Comment by Julia @ Mélanger— October 27, 2009 #
Where is your Daring Bakers’ post? I’m dying with anticipation…
Comment by Jill— October 28, 2009 #
same question, when can we see your macarons? ‘Love your pho and wontons
Comment by Olive— October 28, 2009 #
[...] of going stir-crazy with the stuff. As for miracle cures for the flu, I’ll stick with pho ga as my reigning champion on that front for [...]
Pingback by DIY Naturopath— November 6, 2009 #
I don’t care what ails ya’, this looks to be a fix to me!
Comment by jengd— November 13, 2009 #
Hello this is just a random topic. No worries!
Comment by Merperlooky— November 21, 2009 #
Hello all,
My name is Billy, I just wanted to introduce myself since I am new to this site…
I am new to the internet but I am learning alot real quick!
I’m a Hair Stylist and devoted father.
The things I love most in life are family, friends and nascar.
On week days you’ll usually find me being lazy. On the weekends I like to party and watch nascar.
My idea of the perfect day would start with breakfast. And then I’d go to the a football game. Later I’d eat a great dinner from uGO FlameDisk. And I’d top it all off by snuggling with my GF.
I also love hip hop videos.
Anyways it’s great to be a part of your site!
Thnks
Comment by Agogentee— December 19, 2009 #
Hi, greetings from Spain.
I saw this forum in Bing and it looks marvelous.
First of all I want to introduce myself and say hello.
As a christmas present I wish to offer one of my recipes to you
You can read it here: http://traceyrios.vox.com/library/post/christmas-dinner-recipes.html
Enjoy and get back to me and tell me what you think of it.
All the best,
Tracey
Comment by beastegot— December 23, 2009 #
Good post.
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Comment by q_well— September 1, 2010 #
Love this soup! I need a good flu remedy.
Comment by Dara— August 15, 2012 #
This looks fantastic and is something I have always wanted to make!
Comment by All That I'm Eating— August 16, 2012 #
I really hope you do try it…it is fabulous! I wish I had some now!
Comment by Lisa— August 21, 2012 #