Sunday, July 19, 2009

Pho @ Auckland

Dry pho
Starr and Zoe (starr's cousin from Hanoi) decided to cook pho for this family who is crazy about Vietnamese food (or any food for that matter). They chose not to do the soupy pho as that would be too tedious (utensils and ingredients wise). The dry pho is much easier to do and very refreshing to eat, said Starr. As we have not tasted dry pho before (to me, pho means one thing and one thing only ie gloriously fragranced beef soup), we eagerly and very patiently waited for this dish as each item was prepared and laid on the table.

The two girls were super efficient and I only get to help with crushing the peanuts.

Thinly sliced meat marinaded lightly with chopped garlic, freshly ground black pepper and fish sauce. Stir-fried quickly over high heat to medium rare...yummz.
According to Starr, her grandma's recipe stipulates not less than 300g of beef per person for this dish! There certainly wasn't any objection to that, especially with such wonderful beef here in NZ.

When all the ingredients are ready, each get to concoct his/her own dish to suit one's palate much like the home-made fresh nyonya popiah.
It was a wonderful meal and like Starr promised, it was very refreshing but I am still partial about the steaming hot soupy pho...

3 comments:

"Joe" who is constantly craving said...

300gms!? thats a huge steak if u ask me..

frank said...

300gms...perfect! yes it's a big serving, but you'll never be left wanting. Wretched excess for delicious tender, fresh beef - uber yummy!!!!

I am partial to the soup too but when someone is cooking for me, I just say thank you :-)

Something about beggars and choosers hehe...

Starr said...

i promise i'll learn how to cook the soupy Pho and cook for you guys next time :)
I have to go home n charm my grandma 1st so she'll give me her secret tips ;)