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We had Thanksgiving at my brother’s house this year (back when it was Canadian Thanksgiving, over a month ago!) and the part I was most looking forward to was the leftovers: specifically, the turkey bones. I had thought that my mom was making the turkey and bringing it over so I was certain that she’d let me have them. When I arrived (bringing along a simple quinoa salad), I realized that my sister-in-law was the official turkey roaster of the night. All of a sudden I got a little shy and didn’t want to ask for the bones.

I mean, it’s a little strange, even if it is family, right? I was thinking that she had the bones destined for a wicked turkey soup, or even better, turkey congee, so I didn’t say anything even though I’d been dreaming of Turkey pho. But then, at the end of dinner, she offered up the bones to my mom, who offered them to me!

Actually, now that I think about it, it was a good thing that my mom didn’t make the turkey because the last time wanted to make a turkey to bring over to my brother’s place, there was an incident that involved half-raw turkey, a locked oven and takeout fried chicken. But really, that’s a story for another day.

Back to turkey pho: it’s totally untraditional (I don’t think they have turkeys in Vietnam) but completely delicious, maybe even more so than chicken pho. The broth feels even more flavourful and full of body: it’s clear and incredibly intensely satisfying. To me, there’s nothing that makes me happier than a bowl full of steaming hot noodles. I may not have the best chopstick skills in the world (read: horrible, horrible chopstick skills), but somehow when faced with a bowl of noodles I make it work. Piping hot slippery firm rice noodles, tender turkey, and umami-rich broth – turkey pho: I love you.

Turkey Pho Recipe
serves 4

Turkey Pho

• 1 leftover turkey carcass
• 3 quarts of water
• 1 onion, halved
• 1 3-4 inch chunk of ginger
• 1/2 teaspoon whole coriander seeds
• 1/2 teaspoon whole cloves
• 2 whole star anise
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 1 tablespoon fish sauce, or to taste
• 1 cinnamon stick

To serve

• leftover slices/bits of turkey
• pho noodles
• sliced green onions
• roughly chopped cilantro
• bean sprouts
• thai chilis
• sliced limes
• hoisin sauce
• sriracha

Toast your ginger and onions in a toaster oven or oven on broil until the onions are sweaty and everything is nicely charred. Peel the ginger and onions and set aside until you’re ready to start your broth.

Toast the coriander seeds, cloves, and star anise in a dry pan on low heat until they are aromatic, about 2-3 minutes. Tie the spices up in cheesecloth for easy removal from your soup.

Fill a pot with about 3 quarts of water and add the turkey carcass, ginger, onions, cinnamon stick, and spice packet. Bring to a boil and lower to a very gentle simmer. Simmer for as long as you can; reducing it will intensify the flavor, minimum 2 hours, I usually go for 4. After 2-plus hours, strain the stock and discard the solids. Skim the stock if needed. Keep the stock hot over medium-low heat and season with fish sauce and sugar. Add the sugar and fish sauce in increments until you’re happy with the flavor. Bring the stock to a roiling boil.

Prepare your noodles according to the package and strain. Place noodles in a large bowl. Add a generous amount of turkey (the stock should heat the meat up enough, if you want it piping hot, dip it into hot water to heat), top with broth, and garnishes. Enjoy!

PS – Happy December!! I’m so excited!!

comfortphosouptake out at hometurkeyvietnamese