Happy Pho

by Anne Paddock

Happy Pho is a Vietnamese Brown Rice Noodle Soup that is easy to make and has the following attributes:

Low in Calories (approximately 220 calories per serving)
High in Protein (4 grams of protein per serving)
High in Fiber (3 grams of fiber per serving)
Low in Sodium (approximately 100 mg of sodium per serving with no MSG)
Fat Free
Low in Sugar (1 gram of sugar per serving)
Gluten-free (no wheat products)
Dairy-free
Flavorful and Delicious

Four years ago, two friends (Karen Cheng and Thao Nguyen) who share a passion for Asian noodles decided to start a business making nutritious Pho (a traditional Vietnamese noodle soup packed with rice noodles, fresh herbs and spices) using a recipe handed down to Thao from her grandmother in Vietnam. Together, they formed Star Anise Foods (a tribute to anise – one of the key ingredients that gives Pho its distinctive complex flavor) and began to source natural ingredients of the best quality from Vietnamese farmers to make a nutritious noodle dish that can be enjoyed any time of the day and any way you like – plain, with vegetables, fish, chicken, or meat.

Happy Pho is packaged in a box with 4.5 ounces of brown rice noodles (made of brown rice, water, organic green tea, and salt) and a spice packet that uses organic anise, cinnamon, black cardamom, ginger, and spring onion as a base. Each box contains two servings and there are three varieties:

Shiitake Mushroom: Brown rice noodles and a flavor packet (organic star anise, organic Saigon cinnamon, Shiitake mushroom, spring onion, black cardamom, and ginger).

Zesty Ginger: Brown rice noodles and a flavor packet (organic star anise, organic Saigon cinnamon, ginger, black cardamom, and spring onion).

Garlic Goodness: Brown rice noodles and a flavor packet (organic star anise, organic Saigon cinnamon, garlic, ginger, spring onion, and black cardamom).

To make Pho, place 4 cups (32 ounces) of water, vegetable, beef, fish or chicken broth in a saucepan, add the spice packet and bring to a boil. Add the noodles and heat for 1 minute (I cooked the noodles for 2 minutes because I prefer a softer noodle). Add 1 cup of chopped cilantro and be creative by adding fresh cooked mushrooms (I added 8 ounces of sliced and quartered browned mushrooms), sautéed spinach (I added 12 ounces of cooked baby spinach), or any variety of cooked vegetables (chopped scallions are a delicious addition), beef, chicken, or fish (many people prefer prawns or shrimps).Add a slice of lime or squeeze a few wedges of lime over the Pho and enjoy. Resist the urge to add salt; instead savor the flavor of the spices – especially the anise, cardamom, ginger and cinnamon. It’s that simple – an all natural flavorful soup that anyone can make.

Happy Pho boxes can be purchased at fine grocery stores nationwide (see the company website for a list of locations by state) or by purchasing on-line through www.amazon.com. Each 4.5 ounce 2-serving box sells for approximately $5 (with shipping free for Amazon Prime members).

Star Anise Foods
PO Box 591125
San Francisco, CA 94159
415-830-6072

www.staranisefoods.com