Pho-reaking Delicious Pho

Yet another recipe I found on Pinterest that I loved and was made possible because of my amazing SIL who gave me Star Anise :)

INGREDIENTS:
6 oz wide rice noodles
6 cups chopped bok choy
2 cups mung bean sprouts
2 cups fresh basil leaves
1 cup fresh mint leaves
1 cup fresh cilantro leaves
1 fresh Thai chile or serrano, thinly sliced
1 lime, cut into 6 wedges
2 tablespoons light brown sugar
2 tablespoons fish sauce
10 whole star anise*
6 whole cloves
1 2-inch piece fresh ginger, peeled and thinly sliced
1 cinnamon stick
2 bone-in chicken breasts (about 2½ pounds total), skin removed, trimmed

DIRECTIONS:
Combine broth, brown sugar, fish sauce, star anise, cloves, ginger and cinnamon stick in a 5- to 6-quart slow cooker.

Add chicken breasts, meat-side down.

Cover and cook on High for 4 hours (or on Low for 8 hours).

Transfer the chicken to a cutting board. Remove spices and discard. Add noodles and bok choy to the slow cooker.

Cover and cook on High for 30 minutes. Remove the chicken from the bone and shred with two forks. When the noodles are tender, stir in the shredded chicken.

Serve bowls of soup with bean sprouts, basil, mint, cilantro, sliced chile and lime wedges on the side so everyone can add their own toppings.

*Add star anise, named for its star-shaped pods, to Asian-inspired dishes to lend distinctive licorice-like flavor. Look for it with other bulk spices in natural-foods stores, in Asian markets or online.

Yes . . . I had to do without bok choy, bean sprouts, and the Serrano but it was still amazing. Next time!