Then, I chatted with my dear sister (who is also cooking and baking her way through Dorie Greenspan's new cookbook, Around My French Table) and I realized I had to make it. We decided we'd cook together each week and in a way, I didn't want to let her down. Plus, dang-it-all, I wanted to make this delicious-looking soup.
So, I headed to the store, bought beautiful ingredients like fresh basil, cilantro, star anise and white peppercorns and started up the old soup pot. The result was a delicious, spicy, lightly creamy and brothy soup with tender shreds of flavorful chicken and perfectly-cooked egg noodles.
This wasn't my first experience with pho-style soups. My home-town of Orem, Utah got a Pho noodle house in 2009 and I very much enjoy it. But um...cough cough...I hate to say it...I prefer this recipe! And I just love that I can enjoy it in the convenience and beauty of my own home. (Note: I know that this recipe is a twist on the classic pho ga...) I sorta had an ah-ha moment tonight. I heard a little voice in my head say "You can make better-than-restaurant-quality meals...and could eating at home possibly be more enjoyable than going out? ...yes, YES indeed!"
I have to preface these thoughts with the fact that I'm a huge propenant of family dinner. But I also have to let you know that my husband and I are a couple of mid-twenty, childless, new-restaurant seekers who love a night out. And you should for sure know that I am more of a baker than a cook. Hence, the whole reason I'm doing this whole "commit yourself to making a new recipe once a week for six years thing..."
Back to the soup. It was so easy to make! I didn't make any changes to the recipe except I added two whole stars of anise. I just love that flavor. I also added thin slices of jalapeno to my garish list among fresh basil, lime wedges and bean sprouts.
The only thing I wished I would have done different was invite another couple over to sit and enjoy this warm soup. I could see the four of us just sipping away and chatting all night! Thanks for another keeper, Dorie! I can really see myself making this soup often. It's officially on the fall and winter soup list. Make sure to see how the other bloggers liked it on the Leave Your Link post.
Next week: Hachis Parmentier
Last week: Gerard's Mustard Tart
14 comments:
yours certainly looks restaurant quality or BETTER! nice job.
it sure is a keeper recipe, very tasty ... yours looks lovely!
Don't you love it when you realize you really can make food that tastes better than some eating out options? Good for you. How fun that you are cooking along with your sister. I would love to do that.
Looks yummy!
Six years? Oh... I wish someone made that clear to me! Wow. OK, if you can do it...
Trevor Sis Boom.
Totally agree..i love it when I learn I can make something better than a restaurant. Hooray for soup!
I'm a restaurant lover too but am always pleasantly surprised when I eat something at a restaurant that I have previously made better myself! Nice job on the soup!
With this soup, I think we're all just getting a sense of what we've signed on for. Many ingredients, awesome results. YOurs looks delicious!
oh my gosh-- that looks so good I think I'm going to die. I'm so craving all types of oriental noodle soup lately!
glad I could inspire you;) Wasn't it just awesome! Had some for lunch today...
Your soup looks fantastic, and like what you'd get in a restaurant, with that plate of accompaniments. Very nicely done!
:)
I often prefer my dishes to those found in restaurants too! Great job!
U sure musb glad for ur sis's inspiration to come up with so delish a soup!!
we loved it too!!
I'm more of a baker too but joined the group so as to make myself eat real dinners and not just baked goods or going out to eat. Your soup looks great, glad you enjoyed it
How fun to cook each week "with" your sister. The soup sounds wonderful.
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