Thai Basil (Ocimum basilicum var. Thai Basil is an essential ingredient when we make pho, a Vietnamese soup with broth, noodles, meat, and vegetables. But, we also use it liberally in salads, curries, noodle dishes, and stir-fries. The plants are beautiful with deep green leaves and reddish-purple stems and flowers.
Can you use regular basil in pho?
No problem! Some recipes call for Thai basil, a pungent variety that can be hard to find in grocery stores. To duplicate its flavor, use common “Italian” basil and add a few fresh mint sprigs to the recipe.
What is Vietnamese basil called?
In Vietnamese this herb will be called: húng quế, rau quế, or sometimes even rau húng quế. The literal translation is cinnamon mint. In English it is most commonly referred to as Thai Basil or Taiwanese Basil.
Can you use sweet basil in pho?
It depends on the the recipe. In some recipes you can substitute sweet basil, if it’s all you have on hand. But if you’re making a traditional Southeast Asian recipe like a curry, pho, or spring rolls, it’s definitely worth seeking out for its distinct flavor.
What herbs are used in pho?
Pho broth is made by adding in charred onions and ginger followed by whole spices like anise, fennel, coriander, cloves, cinnamon sticks, and cardamom pods.
What is the leaf they put in pho?
If you’re hardcore, add culantro (ngò gai) leaves, a hot-weather herb with a strong, slightly sweet cilantro flavor; it’s usually sold at Vietnamese, Latin, and Caribbean markets.
Is there a difference between Thai basil and regular basil?
In terms of taste, Thai basil smells like anise and has a more licorice smell with a slightly spicy taste. Sweet basil has the classic aroma that reminds you of pesto and has more of a clove like.
Do you eat Thai basil in pho?
So next time when your pho comes, you add your veggies — bean sprouts and thai basil — into the soup. If you prefer something a little more sweet and spicy, you add hoisin sauce and sriracha, before squeezing them into a separate small plate to dip your meat in. If you like it bland, eat it as is.
Is pho served with mint or basil?
The herb can be difficult to find outside South East Asia, as it requires high humidity and temperature to grow. Unlike the name, Vietnamese mint is not part of the mint family, but the taste has minty, slightly spicy and basil notes. If you cannot find it, use mint and basil instead.
Is Vietnamese mint the same as Thai basil?
Thai Basil (also called Asian basil): has purple stems and purple buds. Think of Thai basil as a spicier and less sweet version than the Italian cousin. Vietnamese Balm (also known as Vietnamese mint): this saw-edged, slightly fuzzy herb tastes of lemon and mint.
Is sweet basil the same as Italian basil?
Italian basil is not a real cultivar (by cultivar I mean “cultural variety”) of basil. “Italian basil” a general term for the types of basil that may be used in Italian cooking. The two types of basil cultivars that are used in Italian cooking include Sweet Basil, the most common cultivar, and Genovese Basil.
Is sweet basil the same as basil?
Sweet basil is a sub-type of common basil with milder or licoricey taste. It is the best choice for Italian sauces and soups and for making pesto. Sweet basil leaves can sustain better in high-temperature cooking than common basil, so they are widely used in the South Asian cuisine.
What gives pho its flavor?
Spices: There are 5 important spices in pho broth — star anise, whole cloves, cinnamon sticks, cardamom pods, and coriander seeds. I really recommend using the whole (not ground) spices if possible, which we will briefly toast to bring out extra flavor.
What is in pho seasoning packet?
Pho Spice Blend (Gia Vi Pho)
- 2 star anise (16 robust points total), or 1 star anise (8 robust points total) and 1 medium Chinese black cardamom.
- 2 whole cloves.
- 1⁄2 teaspoon fennel seeds.
- 1 teaspoon coriander seeds.
- 10 black peppercorns.
- 1⁄4 teaspoon ground cinnamon.
What’s the white stuff in pho?
The term pho actually refers to the noodles, not the soup. There are hundreds of different soups found around Vietnam. But pho is made with pristine white rice flour noodles that are made daily and sold in markets.
What’s another name for Thai basil?
It is also known as Thai holy basil or by its Indian name, tulasi or tulsi; it is widely used in India for culinary, medicinal, and religious purposes.
Can you replace Thai basil with basil?
It is one of the most popular herbs in the Western world. From Pesto to Marinara sauces, it can be used almost in everything. Thai basil and Italian basil belong to the same family, so you can use Italian basil as a Thai Basil Substitute, and the flavor will not change much.
What is a good substitute for Thai basil?
If you can’t find Thai basil, you can substitute sweet basil, but it will lack its distinctive grassy and spicy flavor. If you are to substitute, supplement the sweet basil with mint to make up for this loss of flavor.
Is it rude to drink pho from bowl?
It’s considered rude to take food from a shared dish and put it immediately in your mouth. Don’t slurp pho. Don’t lift your bowl off the table and eat with the bowl in your hand.
What mint Do Vietnamese use?
Both peppermint and spearmint are quite common in Vietnamese cuisine. They are added to fresh rolls (gỏi cuốn) as a complimentary flavor to the pork and shrimp.
What can I substitute for Vietnamese mint?
I have a soup recipe that calls for Vietnamese mint and I cannot get it anywhere. I have used tarragon as a substitute, but would really like to have the correct ingredients. You can get Vietnamese mint – Persicaria odorata, aka Vietnamese coriander – in Asian supermarkets, should you have one to hand.
Lorraine Wade is all about natural food. She loves to cook and bake, and she’s always experimenting with new recipes. Her friends and family are the lucky beneficiaries of her culinary skills! Lorraine also enjoys hiking and exploring nature. She’s a friendly person who loves to chat with others, and she’s always looking for ways to help out in her community.