Dried Pho: Simple Dish for Busy People

Pho is one of the familiar dishes with a strong traditional character of Vietnam. In addition to fresh pho currently on the market, there is also dried pho which is also accounting for a significant amount of revenue in the domestic and foreign markets. Because of the convenience in processing and long-term preservation, dried pho has gradually been used to replace fresh pho. But not everyone knows what to cook with dried pho to make delicious dishes that are super simple and easy to make for busy people. Let’s find out with Viet Delta what to cook with dried pho that is delicious, super simple and quick.

How to prepare dried pho noodles

• After buying the dried pho, soak it in water, if it is cold water, soak it for about 60 minutes, if it is warm water, soak it for about 30 minutes. After soaking, the pho noodles will be softer and start to whiten, at this point the pho noodles are ready to be boiled in boiling water.

• Get a large pot with a lot of water, wait for the water to boil, then add the soaked dried pho noodles. Blanch for about 1 minute or until the pho noodles are cooked. Note that do not cover the pot or leave it for too long, because this will make the pho noodles mushy and crumbly.
• When the pho noodles are cooked, take them out and put them in a basket to drain all the water, then rinse with cold water. Then let them drain completely and they are ready to use.

Delicious dishes from dried pho

In addition to dishes used with fresh pho such as: beef pho, chicken pho… to know what to cook with dried pho that is delicious and simple to make, you can refer to the recipe for the extremely simple stir-fried vegetarian dry pho that Viet Delta will introduce below.

If you are a vegetarian, or simply want a light meal, you will surely ask what to cook with dried pho to have a vegetarian meal while still ensuring adequate nutrition for a long day. Don’t miss the following recipe!

1. Vegetarian Stir-fried Pho

Ingredients for making Vegetarian Stir-fried Pho

• 500g dried pho noodles
• Half cabbage
• 2 pieces of fried tofu
• 1 chili pepper, 1 carrot
• 200g enoki mushrooms, oyster mushrooms
• Seasoning: soy sauce, vegetarian fish sauce, vegetarian seasoning, vegetable oil, salt…

Prepare the ingredients

• Step 1: Peel the carrots and cut them into long strips. Cut the chili peppers into thin, round slices.
• Step 2: Cut the cabbage into strips like the carrots. Separate the bok choy leaves. Then, soak the cabbage and bok choy in salt water for about 10-15 minutes and then rinse with water.
• Step 3: Cut off the roots of the enoki mushrooms and oyster mushrooms, then wash and drain.
• Step 4: When the tofu is fried until golden brown, wait for it to cool and then use a knife to cut it into strips.

How to make

• Step 1: Put the prepared pho noodles into a hot oil pan. Add 1 tablespoon of soy sauce, a little salt, stir-fry until the pho noodles are cooked, then turn off the stove and pour onto a plate.
• Step 2: Continue to add all the vegetables, mushrooms and tofu that have been prepared above into the pan and stir-fry until cooked.
• Step 3: Add a little salt, 1 tablespoon of soy sauce, 1 teaspoon of vegetarian seasoning, 2 teaspoons of vegetarian fish sauce to the pan of vegetables and stir well to absorb the spices, then turn off the stove.
• Step 4: Add the stir-fried pho noodles and mix well with the vegetables until absorbed and it’s ready to eat.

2. Vegetarian Beef Pho

Ingredients:

• Dried pho noodles 500 gr
• Vegetarian beef slices 50 gr
• Tofu sticks 30 gr
• Tofu leaves 30 gr
• Tofu 3 pieces
• White radish 200 gr
• Straw mushrooms 200 gr
• Bean sprouts 200 gr
• Cassava 200 gr
• Carrots 200 gr
• Chayote 200 gr
• American corn 300 gr
• Scallions 30 gr
• Onions 200 gr
• Chili pepper 1 fruit
• Ginger 50 gr
• Accompanying vegetables 50 gr (basil/lettuce…)
• Pho soup seasoning 30 gr
• Vegetarian seasoning 4 teaspoons
• Rock sugar 1 tablespoon
• Cooking oil 130 ml
• Salt/ Ground pepper

Prepare ingredients

• Peel white radish, carrot, cassava, wash, drain and cut into bite-sized pieces. Peel corn, cut into pieces about 2 knuckles long.
• Peel ginger, slice. Peel chayote, wash, cut in half, remove seeds, cut into pieces.
• Peel onion. Clean straw mushroom, cut in half.
• Finely chop coriander. Clean herbs, bean sprouts, drain. Clean shallot, chop finely.
• Soak vegetarian beef slices in warm water for 20 minutes to expand, wash, drain.
• Put chopped shallot in a bowl, add 1 teaspoon vegetarian seasoning, 1 teaspoon ground pepper, mix well and marinate for about 10 minutes.

How to make

Step 1: Fried tofu

• Cut the tofu into bite-sized pieces. Cut the tofu into small squares.
• Place the pan on the stove, turn on medium heat, add 100ml of cooking oil to cover the pan.
• When the oil is boiling, add the tofu and fry until golden brown on all sides. If the pan is large, you can add more tofu until it puffs up.
• Once the tofu is fried, remove and cut into pieces 1/2 finger long.

Step 2: Stir-fry the ingredients

• Put the pan on the stove, add about 2 tablespoons (30ml) of cooking oil, add chopped shallots, saute until fragrant.
• Add straw mushrooms and beef slices and stir-fry for about 3 minutes, stirring well.
• Add tofu to the pan, season with 1 teaspoon of vegetarian seasoning, 1 teaspoon of pepper, gently stir-fry the ingredients to absorb the spices. Stir-fry for about 5 more minutes and then turn off the stove.

Step 3: Cook the broth

• Put the onion and a few slices of ginger in the pan and grill until slightly golden brown, fragrant, then turn off the stove.
• Put the pot on the stove, add 2.5 liters of filtered water, boil over high heat.
• When the water boils, turn down the heat, add white radish, carrots, corn, chayote, grilled onions and ginger to the pot of water and simmer for about 1 hour to get the sweet broth.
• Add a teaspoon of salt. Skim off the foam regularly to keep the broth clear!

Step 4: Finish

• After the vegetables have been stewed for 1 hour, add the pho seasoning packet and cook for about 5 more minutes.
• Take out all the vegetables and pho seasoning.
• Then, add all the previously stir-fried ingredients to the pot, add the fried tofu skin, and stir well.
• Add 2 teaspoons of vegetarian seasoning, 1 tablespoon of rock sugar, and season to suit your family’s taste.
• Boil the broth for another 5 minutes and turn off the stove.