thoughts on a Thursday (+ a simple homemade pho)
Hey hey friends. How are you? How’s the week going? Thank you so much for the awesome feedback on the Hamilton Workout! I had a little too much fun putting it together. Please let me know if you give it a try!
This week, it’s been a mix of the usual shenanigans: school, gymnastics, wrangling these two nuggets. I feel like between the three of us, it’s a constant snack rotation. It’s like an endless loop around the kitchen haha.
A friend on Instagram told me that her kiddos always ask for her coconut butter cups, and I was like, “Liv and P don’t know they exist.” I eat them alone, usually while they’re distracted or sleeping. I share 99.97% of my food with them, but sorry. No coconut butter cups for youuuuuu.
I do share my smoothie with them.
(Frozen cauliflower, almond milk, spinach, collagen, Vanilla protein, almond butter, cinnamon)
Easy Homemade Pho
Dinners have been quick and easy as usual, and I received some requests to share this super simple pho recipe.
We were all in the mood for homemade pho, so I found this recipe to try out… but lost one of the pieces to the Instant Pot. (It has since been recovered. It was somehow in the toaster so there ya go.)
Instead, I rolled stovetop style and it came out SO good. Liv was like, “I can’t believe you made pho! This is amazing.” She’s also really into puns right now, so when I said, “This is pho you” as I set it in front of her, she actually thought it was funny. Or at least she pretended? The lame mom jokes are only just beginning.
Here’s the recipe:
Easy Homemade Pho
Ingredients
- 1 yellow onion, rough chopped
- 1 head of garlic, sliced in half
- Copious amount of bone broth (you can use chicken or beef! Veggie friends can definitely make this with vegetable broth. I used about 4 jars of the Epic bone broth thinned out with a little water)
- 2 star anise pods
- A generous sprinkle of cardamom
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 1 giant piece of ginger, peeled and rough chopped
- A chunk of lemongrass if you can find it (i could not, but it would have been awesome)
- About 2 tablespoons of fish sauce
- Salt and pepper
Instructions
- In a large pot, bring all ingredients to a boil.
- After the mixture is boiling, bring to a simmer and cover. Let simmer for an hour or so.
- Start soaking your rice noodles. (This isn’t the “fast” part, but I just let it chill on the stove while I did things around the house and chased the girls around)
- When you’re ready to serve, strain the broth mixture
- Set the amount of noodles you’d like into each bowl and top with protein of choice (I used sliced chicken that I baked with salt, pepper and garlic)
- Top with the broth
- Serve with lime wedges, basil, hoisin sauce, sriracha, bean sprouts, sliced fresh jalapeños, any toppings you like!
It made me nostalgic for those OB Noodle House days.
Here’s an even faster recipe if you want to skip the broth boiling part.
I accidentally but amazingly got two Stitch Fixes this week. One was lost in the mail and magically showed up, and the other one was the replacement. There were lots of gorgeous off-shoulder tops and dresses (including this one!), and just to guarantee I’d keep something: jogger pants and a t-shirt. I think I’ve worn joggers with a tank or tee for the past 3 weeks.
(with the infamous Band Aid shoes)
Some link love from the week:
Tips on making the school year easier
2 weeks of vegan dinner recipes
Hope you have an amazing day!
xo
Gina
26 Comments
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Love pho! Will have to try this. Have you tried the pho place in Valdosta? I’m hesitant.
haven’t but tom has taken the girls. he said it was surprisingly good!
I love pho! I’ve only made it once, but I feel like the star anise really gives it that authentic flavor.
I still haven’t tried to coconut butter cups. I’m afraid I’ll get addicted haha!
yes, it’s definitely one of the things that’s stood out to me
haha and yes they’re so addicting! but in a good way 😉
Oh gosh, I need those green cargo pants! So darn cute and stylish. I’ve never had pho– never been a huge noodle soup fan, but my goodness is it popular over here in SF!
oh you need to try it! SF probably has incredible pho
That Pho looks pretty amazing, Gina. Lame mom joke = also amazing. These are the moments haha. I’ll have to try it out veggie. 🙂
haha thanks, love! let me know if you give it a try!
Hi 🙂 Where can i find your coconut butter cups?
hi! i get them from thrive market 🙂 they’re the evolved brand
Oh… Here in Québec City (Canada) we probably don’t have them…. We need to find a recipe 😉
I love pho, we make it at home all the time during the winter. Those joggers are super cute.
it’s such an awesome winter meal <3
I would not be sharing coconut butter cups either lol! The pho looks so good. I cant believe Ive never had it before I need to get on it!
yes! i think you would love it 🙂
Love your jogger & tee outfit, so cute!!
thank you!
I got a Stitch Fix box this week too and I had asked for some fall options (I am SO ready) and while I did send a few things back, the items I kept, I LOVE and can’t wait for the weather to cool down so I can wear them!
yes, it definitely made me excited for fall, too!
Gorgeous pictures and definitely going to give the pho recipe a try. It looks delicious!
HI Gina,
Which vanilla protein do you use? Thanks
i really like the garden of life grain-free one (from thrive market)
thank you
I would be eating those coconut butter cups alone as well! XD It is sad, I have to eat peaches when my baby is asleep because 1) He would eat peaches until the cows come home, and I dunno, I don’t think an 8 month old should be eating 2 whole peaches in a day and 2) I don’t wanna share! I want all the peaches for myself while they are in season
Thanks for this recipe. I planted a small lemongrass plant in late spring and it is now 4 feet tall and spreading like crazy. I really need lemongrass recipes and this looks amazing. I also have jalapenos growing in my garden so even better.
Love your pants! Where did you get them? 🙂