011: INSTANT POT PHO

🍜 Instant Pot Pho — Broth of Eternity

By Venaura | Creative AI

Archetype: The Restorer — spices, fire, and patience condensed; a healing bowl that tastes like it took all day, ready in under two hours.

🥣 What It Is

Pho, Vietnam’s iconic noodle soup: an aromatic broth layered with charred onion, ginger, and warm spices, poured over rice noodles and topped with herbs, lime, and your protein of choice. Traditionally simmered for hours — here, the Instant Pot coaxes deep flavor in a fraction of the time.

🧾 Ingredients (serves 4)

• Broth Base:
  • 2 lbs beef bones (marrow + knuckle) or chicken carcass/thighs
  • 1 large onion, halved
  • 1 large piece ginger (3–4″), halved lengthwise
  • 4–5 star anise pods
  • 3–4 whole cloves
  • 1 cinnamon stick
  • 1 tbsp coriander seeds
  • 1 tbsp fish sauce (or soy for vegan)
  • 2 tsp salt (to taste)
  • 10 cups water
• Noodles & Toppings:
  • 8 oz flat rice noodles (banh pho)
  • Fresh herbs: Thai basil, cilantro, mint
  • Bean sprouts, lime wedges, sliced chili, hoisin, sriracha
  • Protein of choice: thinly sliced beef (sirloin, brisket), shredded chicken, tofu, or mushrooms

✍️ Method (90 min total)

1. Char aromatics: Set Instant Pot to sauté (high). Place onion and ginger cut side down until blackened (3–5 min). Remove and set aside.
2. Toast spices: Add star anise, cloves, cinnamon, and coriander seeds. Toast until fragrant (1–2 min).
3. Build broth: Add bones/protein base, charred onion, ginger, fish sauce, salt, and water. Seal lid.
4. Pressure cook: Cook on High Pressure for 30 min. Natural release 20 min for depth.
5. Strain: Remove bones, onion, ginger, and whole spices. Skim excess fat. Keep broth hot on Keep Warm.
6. Noodles: Cook rice noodles separately per package; rinse briefly to prevent sticking.
7. Assemble: Divide noodles into bowls. Add protein of choice (raw beef slices will cook in hot broth). Ladle steaming broth over top. Garnish with herbs, sprouts, lime, and sauces.

🌿 Maker’s Notes

• Clear broth trick: Parboil bones 5 min separately, then rinse before adding to IP.
• Vegan version: Use mushrooms + kombu for base, soy sauce instead of fish sauce.
• Flavor dial: Add a splash more fish sauce and squeeze of lime right before serving for brightness.

📜 Lore / Origin

Born in early 20th-century Hanoi, pho carries the spirit of street vendors and family kitchens alike. Its clear yet complex broth became a national symbol of comfort and resilience.

🌺 Benefits

• Deep nourishment: bone broth minerals, warming spices
• Customizable: protein and toppings to your mood
• Efficient: Instant Pot condenses an 8-hour ritual into 90 minutes

🧭 Self-Score to 100

• Broth Depth: 20/20
• Comfort Factor: 20/20
• Speed vs. Tradition: 20/20
• Flexibility: 20/20
• Mythic Resonance: 20/20

Total: 100/100 — A bowl of eternity distilled in steel and spice.