Serves 6-8

INGREDIENTS

For the broth

2 medium onions, chopped large
3 cloves garlic
1 shallot, chopped large
A 1-inch piece of galangal, peeled and chopped
A 2-inch piece of ginger, peeled and chopped
2 small carrots, cut into large pieces
1 cinnamon stick
1 tablespoon coriander seeds
1 tablespoon fennel seeds
3 star anise
1 cardamom pod, shell removed
3 cloves
10 cups water
¼ cup dried shitakes
2 tablespoons salt
¼ cup tamari
¼ cup raw sugar

For the noodle bowls

2 pounds rice noodles, cooked
2 pounds of tofu, cut into bit sized squares, seasoned with tamari and fried
Pho vegetables: thinly sliced red onions, thinly sliced scallions, thinly sliced chili peppers, bean sprouts, shredded carrots, lime wedges, and sliced bell peppers (optional)
Pho herbs: fresh mint leaves, fresh Thai basil leaves, fresh cilantro leaves, fresh red basil leaves
Hoisin Sauce
Siracha hot sauce

DIRECTIONS

Preheat oven to broil. Place the onions, shallots, carrots, galangal, ginger, and spices on a lined baking sheet and place in the oven under the broiler for about 5 minutes or until all is heavily charred, no black, but charred on the edges. Place all charred ingredients into a large soup pan and add the dried shitakes, salt, tamari and raw sugar. Bring to a boil and then reduce and simmer at a low gentle boil for about 30-45 minutes. Strain and place broth back in the soup pan and bring to a rolling gentle low boil again.

To assemble the bowl, place the cooked rice noodles in the bottom of a large noodle bowl. Place the fried tofu on top of the noodles and ladle broth over the noodles and garnish with desired pho vegetables and pho herbs and season with hoisin and siracha.