Imagine a broth so rich, so deeply satisfying that it transports you straight to the bustling streets of Hanoi - without adding a single point to your weight watchers plan! This zero-point pho broth is the culinary holy grail you've been searching for. A magical blend of roasted beef bones, aromatic spices, and time-honored Vietnamese cooking techniques that will make your taste buds dance and your diet stay on track.
Prep Time: 20 mins
Cook Time: 6 hrs
Total Time: 6 hrs 20 mins
Cuisine: Vietnamese
Serves: 8 servings
Ingredients
- 2 pounds beef bones
- 1 onion, halved
- 1 piece ginger, sliced
- 5 star anise
- 2 cinnamon sticks
- 4 cloves
- Salt to taste
- Water to cover
Instructions
- Begin by preheating your oven to 400°F (200°C). This step is essential to enhance the flavors of the bones.
- Place the beef bones on a baking sheet and roast them in the preheated oven for about 30 minutes, or until they are well-browned. This roasting process will add depth and richness to your pho broth.
- While the bones are roasting, prepare the aromatics. Halve the onion and slice the ginger. You can also char the onion and ginger by placing them on a dry skillet over medium heat until they develop a nice char, which will further enhance the flavor of the broth.
- Once the bones are done roasting, transfer them to a large stockpot. Add the charred onion and ginger to the pot.
- Next, add the star anise, cinnamon sticks, and cloves to the pot. These spices are essential for creating the signature pho flavor.
- Fill the pot with enough water to cover the bones and aromatics completely. This will usually require about 12-14 cups of water, depending on the size of your pot.
- Bring the pot to a boil over high heat. Once it reaches a boil, reduce the heat to low and let it simmer. Skim off any foam or impurities that rise to the surface during the first 30 minutes of simmering. This will help keep your broth clear and clean-tasting.
- After skimming, cover the pot and let the broth simmer for at least 6 hours. The longer you simmer, the richer the flavor will be. You can also simmer it for up to 12 hours for an even more intense broth.
- Once the broth has finished simmering, remove it from the heat and let it cool slightly. Use a fine-mesh strainer or cheesecloth to strain the broth into a large bowl or another pot, discarding the solids.
- Season the strained broth with salt to taste. Remember that you can always adjust the seasoning later when serving.
- Let the broth cool completely before storing it in the refrigerator. Once cooled, you can skim off any excess fat that solidifies on the surface if desired.
- Your Pho Broth Zero WW Points is now ready to be used in your favorite pho recipes. It can be stored in the refrigerator for up to a week or frozen for longer storage.
Tips
- Bone Selection Matters: Choose fresh, high-quality beef bones with some meat attached for maximum flavor depth.
- Roasting is Key: Don't skip the bone roasting step - this caramelizes the bones and creates a more complex, rich broth.
- Charring Aromatics: Taking time to char onions and ginger isn't just traditional, it's flavor-building magic.
- Patience is a Virtue: Low and slow simmering is non-negotiable. The longer you simmer, the more incredible your broth becomes.
- Skimming is Winning: Regularly removing foam and impurities ensures a clear, clean-tasting broth.
- Storage Hack: This broth freezes beautifully in portion-sized containers for quick future meals.
- Seasoning Tip: Always taste and adjust salt at the end of cooking for perfect flavor balance.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 40kcal
Carbohydrates: 1g
Protein: 5g
Fat: 2g
Saturated Fat: 1g
Cholesterol: 15mg
