I wanted a perfect ending. I’ve learned, the hard way, that some poems don’t rhyme, and some stories don’t have a clear beginning, middle and end. Life is about not knowing, leaning into change, taking the moment and making the best of it without knowing what’s going to happen next. Delicious Ambiguity.
– Gilda Radner
Vegetarian Pho
Barely adapted from newly released Green Kitchen Travels by by
- 2 large onions, peeled and halved
- nub of fresh ginger, peeled and sliced
- 4 cinnamon sticks
- 4 star anise
- 4 cloves
- 4 cardamom pods
- 1 tbsp coriander seeds
- 4 large carrots, peeled and chopped
- 1 fennel bulb, quartered, stalks removed
- 1 tsp minced garlic
- 1 tbsp shoyu or soy sauce
- 8 cups vegetable stock
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- 1 head of bok choy, quartered
- fresh thai basil
- fresh mint
- 2 cups beansprouts
- handful of limes, quartered
- 1 lb brown rice noodles
- shaved sweet onion slices
Heat oven to 450.’ Place onions and ginger slices onto a baking tray and roast in the oven for 10 minutes until the edges are starting to brown. Place spices in a heavy-pot and dry roast until aromatic, stirring to prevent from burning. Add vegetable stock, shoyu, carrots, fennel, and roasted onions and ginger. Bring to a boil and reduce heat. Cover and simmer for 30 minutes. Strain soup base through a fine mesh strainer to remove vegetables and debris, then return strained broth to the pot and reheat. Cook noodles according to packet instructions. Prepare serving bowl(s) with cooked noodles, bok choy, beansprouts, onion, fresh herbs, and lime wedges. When ready to serve, pour over hot broth and serve immediately.
**The publisher is letting me give away a copy to one (1) Happyolks reader. Leave a comment with an active email address and I’ll notify a winner by next Tuesday.