Deliciously Easy Faux Phooriental Cellophane Noodle Shrimp Soup Recipes

DELICIOUSLY EASY FAUX PHO/ORIENTAL CELLOPHANE NOODLE SHRIMP SOUP

Steps:

• Chop vegetables as directed above.
• Soak the bean threads in very hot water in a sauce pan for four minutes. Place the pan on a burner and heat to just about boiling. Remove from heat.
• In a medium sized soup pan, sautee the garlic, onion, carrots, and celery with salt to taste, until the onion is soft and the other vegetables are tender crisp. Add chicken broth, drained bean threads (cellophane noodles), shrimp, mushrooms with liquid, and bean sprouts.
• Heat briefly until the shrimp is well cooked.
• Serve each bowl topped with cilantro and green onion and the optional ingredients below.
• HIGHLY Suggested but Optional: Bottle of red habanero sauce, plate of: lime wedges, fresh basil, and raw bean sprouts instead of the canned sprouts - serve the soup boiling hot and have each diner drop the fresh sprouts in their own bowl.

PHO (VIETNAMESE NOODLE SOUP)

Steps:

• For Dam Toi, which is used as a garnish for northern style pho, in a small bowl, combine sliced garlic, 1 cup water and 3 teaspoons salt. Cover and refrigerate overnight; drain. In a small jar, combine sliced garlic and vinegar. Heat remaining 1 cup water until hot; add to jar. Stir in sugar, remaining 1 teaspoon salt and chiles. Cover and let stand at room temperature overnight., In a large saucepan, cover beef bones with 2 liters water. Add 2 tablespoons salt and cider vinegar. In another large saucepan, cover boneless beef with remaining 1 liter water, remaining 2 tablespoons salt, wine and sliced ginger. Cover both saucepans and refrigerate 2 hours; drain (discarding ginger from boneless meat). Add enough cold water to each saucepan to cover bones and meat. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Boil 3 minutes; drain both saucepans and rinse bones and and boneless beef., Preheat oven to 425°. In a stockpot, cover bones and boneless beef with enough cold water to cover completely (about 5 liters). Bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, skimming and discarding foam occasionally. Simmer until foam starts to collect more slowly, about 30 minutes., Meanwhile, arrange whole onion and whole ginger on an ungreased baking sheet. Roast until slightly charred, 10-15 minutes, turning occasionally. Remove and discard charred skins; set aside., In a dry small skillet, toast cinnamon sticks, anise, cardamom pods and coriander over medium heat until aromatic, 1-2 minutes, stirring frequently. Cool. Place spices on a double thickness of cheesecloth. Gather corners of cloth to enclose spices; tie securely with string. , Once foam is no longer collecting on surface of broth, add onion and ginger and spice bag. Stir in salt, MSG if desired and rock sugar. Simmer, uncovered, until beef is tender, about 1-1/2 hours. With tongs, remove beef to a large bowl; cool slightly. Wrap beef tightly in foil and refrigerate. , Continue simmering broth, uncovered, until broth is light golden brown and fragrant, 2-5 hours, stirring occasionally and removing any foam that collects on the surface., To serve, cook Banh Pho according to package directions; set aside. Remove beef from refrigerator and thinly slice against the grain. For each serving, in a small colander, add an individual portion of noodles and beef. Lower colander into simmering broth until beef and noodles are heated through. Add beef and noodles to a serving bowl. Top with additional broth, about 1 cup. Serve with garnishes as desired.