Vegetarian Pho

Chris and I both love Pho. I never get the Tofu Pho bowl since I think they use chicken or beef broth for all of the noodle soups. Chris usually gets the Pho with mixed meat. Chris actually took me to Pho the first time and I didn't like it immediately because I wasn't using the optional sauces like Hoisin, Chili Garlic and Sriracha.

In this recipe it calls for flat rice noodles, and I will be using Mung Bean Noodles, you can also use  Rice Vermicelli. Some people really get into the garnishes but Chris just likes the soup with sauce. I will be using fried tofu, cooked napa cabbage and mushrooms.

I used ground anise seed and coriander seeds as that was all I could find. I think it turned out good.Chris didn't want napa cabbage and I forgot the mushrooms....

Saag Paneer/Palak Paneer

I have been wanting to try this for years, and I am just now getting around to trying it out. Cheese and spicy spinach in a cream sauce, how can you go wrong? I have read about this and was determined to make it, I was even going to attempt to make my own Paneer (which I have read is simple to do), but Chris and I went into Richmond and to the Indian Grocer and I got not one but two packages of Paneer (by mistake, they were stuck together) so I just hope that both of us like Paneer If you are vegan, use soy creamer or soy sour cream thinned out with soy milk and tofu. I decided to go with this recipe from Show Me The Curry. I also decided to go with sour cream instead of the whipping cream called for to save calories. I am using reduced fat paneer that I got from Laxmi  Palace (Indian Grocer). This seems like an easy enough recipe, we are eating the curry without chapatis or rice.

So how was it? OH my goodness, it is amazing! Now I am glad that I accidentally picked up two packs of Paneer! Spicy, creamy deliciousness! The Paneer was chewy cheesy deliciousness. This recipe was very authentic and tasted like something I would get from an upscale Indian Restaurant. Make sure that you soak the Paneer after you fry it, it makes it softer, and lightly squeeze the water out.