Lunch: Quick Pork Pho

A few spices (and a cool skillet move) turn store-bought broth into something deeply satisfying.

This recipe includes fertility superfoods such as:

Cinnamon

Health and fertility benefits of Quick Pork Pho

Cinnamon is one of the best ingredients that someone with insulin sensitivity can eat. Half a teaspoon of cinnamon per day has been shown to be very effective at normalizing blood sugar levels. Cinnamon contains hydroxychalcone, which is thought to enhance the effects of insulin. It has also been suggested that Cinnamon prevents post-meal blood sugar spikes by slowing the gastric emptying rate - meaning that food digests slowly. (Reference: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11506060).

Ingredients

1 medium onion, peeled, halved through root end
2 chiles de árbol or 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
2 garlic cloves, crushed
1 cinnamon stick
2 star anise pods
1 teaspoon fennel seeds
1 1" piece ginger, peeled, crushed
8 cups low-sodium chicken broth
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
2 bone-in pork shoulder steaks (about 12 ounces each)
Kosher salt
freshly ground pepper
8 ounces thin rice stick noodles

Instructions

Heat a dry large cast-iron skillet over medium-high. Cook onion, cut side down, until lightly charred, about 5 minutes; transfer to a plate.
Add chiles (if using crushed red pepper flakes, add with fennel seeds), garlic, cinnamon stick, and star anise to skillet and cook, stirring, until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add fennel seeds and cook, stirring, until fragrant, about 20 seconds (do not burn). Quickly transfer to a large saucepan (reserve skillet) and add onion, ginger, and broth; bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer until broth is flavorful. Meanwhile, heat oil in reserved skillet over medium-high heat. Season pork with salt and pepper and cook until browned and cooked through, about 4 minutes per side. Transfer to a cutting board and let rest 5 minutes before thinly slicing.
Cook noodles according to package directions. Divide among bowls; add pork. Strain broth and ladle into bowls. Top pho with bean sprouts, cilantro, scallions, and peanuts and serve with lime wedges.

Add a review for Quick Pork Pho