The Pho Cookbook

Easy to Adventurous Recipes for Vietnam's Favorite Soup and Noodles

by Andrea Nguyen

Ten Speed Press

Cooking, Food & Wine

Pub Date 07 Feb 2017

Review

Pho is the essence of Vietnam.  It is a perfect marriage of flavorful broth and wide rice noodles.  More than that, however, it has a history as rich and varied as the dish itself.  Pho is an expression of individual uniqueness as well as cultural solidarity.  The Pho Cookbook is more than a collection of recipes.  It is a celebration of culture and cuisine.

The recipes vary in time required and complexity, but there are still many that will appeal to the beginner or time pressed chef.  Nguyen’s book makes pho approachable, rather than intimidating.  Even if you are simply wanting to learn more about Vietnam’s cuisine and culture (as opposed to cooking), The Pho Cookbook is a great choice with its array of beautiful photos and fascinating background information.

5 / 5

I received a copy of The Pho Cookbook from the publisher and Netgalley.com in exchange for an honest review.

--Crittermom

Description

Vietnam's most beloved culinary export—pho—is now within the reach of any home cook.

Andrea Nguyen first tasted pho in Saigon as a child, sitting at a street stall with her parents. That experience sparked a lifelong love of the iconic noodle soup, and here she dives deep into pho's lively past, visiting its birthplace and then teaching how to successfully make it. Options range from quick weeknight cheats to 5-hour weekend feasts with broth and condiments from scratch, as well as other pho rice noodle favorites. Over fifty versatile recipes, including snacks, salads, companion dishes, and vegetarian and gluten-free options, welcome everyone to the pho table. With a thoughtful guide on ingredients and techniques, plus evocative location photography and deep historical knowledge, The Pho Cookbook enables anyone to cook this comforting classic.