I’m sick. My throat is sore, my ears hurt, my chest is tight and my head aches. I can’t get enough sleep at the moment but when I do sleep I frequently wake myself up coughing.
In my home Winter is the season of colds, viruses and fever. With two small kids being exposed to all sorts of germs at school, playgroup and childcare, I’m amazed we make it through more or less intact each year.
When you’re sick with a virus a few days in bed is what is really needed. However, like most working parents, I don’t have time to be sick. So I try to fight illness by feeding us healthy food.
One of my favourite things to eat when I’m feeling ill is Vietnamese Pho (Beef Noodle Soup). The combination of steaming hot soup, rare beef, fresh herbs, lemon juice and chilli clears my head and lifts my spirits as it nourishes my body.
My version of Pho is quick and easy and can be made in under 30 minutes. For most of the time the soup just simmers away on the stove – this recipe is really more about assembling than cooking, which is handy when you’re ill and can’t stay upright for long.
I’ll be back soon with new recipes and great food experiences to share. In the meantime, stay well.
Pho (Beef Noodle Soup)
Ingredients:
- 1 litre beef stock
- 1 litre water
- 2 onions, sliced thinly
- 4 tablespoons fish sauce
- 2 cloves garlic, sliced small
- 1 cinnamon quill
- 1 piece cassia bark
- 1 pod fructus tsaoko (black cardamon) – can leave out
- 3 cardamon pods, slightly bruised
- 3 star anise
- 1.5 inch piece ginger
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1 packet fresh or dehydrated flat white rice noodles
- 300 grams eye fillet
- 100 grams bean sprouts, washed and spun dry
- Handful fresh coriander and Thai basil leaves
- 1 lemon, cut into segments
- 2 fresh chillies, cut into pieces (optional)
- Hot chilli sauce (optional)
- Hoi sin sauce (optional)
Preparation:
- Add stock and water to large saucepan and then add two thirds of the onions, fish sauce, garlic, cinnamon, cassia bark, black cardamon, cardamom, star anise and ginger.
- Simmer over medium heat for twenty minutes, skimming scum as necessary.
- Add sugar. Taste and season with salt and pepper. Keep simmering on low.
- Meanwhile, cook noodles according to pack instructions and set aside.
- Cut meat into into thin slices.
- Put the bean sprouts, fresh herbs, lemon and fresh chilli on a plate for guests to help themselves.
- Put the chilli and hoi sin sauces into a serving bowl on the table.
- To serve, place a portion of noodles into a deep bowl. Pour over the boiling soup and then place a small amount of raw onions and slices of raw beef on top. I like my beef rare but for my kids, I top up their bowls with more boiling soup to cook the beef more.
- Serve individual bowls of noodles and allow guests to garnish as desired.
Other great recipes when you’re feeling sick:
