Easy Shrimp Pho Weeknight Dinner and One Pot Paleo Cookbook To Add To Your Collection
Is it “sweater weather” yet? Soups are a fall favorite but this Shrimp Pho Noodle Soup from the cookbook “One Pot Paleo” is a treat to enjoy year round. Super easy to make, healthy, hearty and so flavorful. Perfect for weeknight dinners or lazy afternoon lunches.
If you’re a pho fan (say that fast 5 times!), looking for new healthy meals, curious about the Paleo diet or simply want to spice up your dinner routine, check out “One Pot Paleo” cookbook. You don’t have to be following the paleo diet to enjoy these recipes.
My friend Shelby Law Ruttan from GrumpysHoneyBunch.com blog gifted me her new cookbook and I’m so grateful. It offers great tips and a variety of easy to follow recipes to have fun in the kitchen.
I was under no obligation to write this post and received no other compensation. All opinions are my own. As always, I only share with you experiences and products I love to inspire you to #MakeSomedayHappen one delicious bite, sip and trip at a time.
Are you a fan of cookbooks? Are you a fan of pho? Let’s dig into this Shrimp Pho Noodle Soup.
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Celebrate National Cookbook Month!
One of the most unexpected surprises during this crazy year of staying safely at home has been enjoying more time in the kitchen. We’ve changed up our dinner routine and finally got around to using the cookbooks that have been gathering dust on the shelves. If I can find a silver lining during this stressful time, this is it.
October is #NationalCookbookMonth so it’s the perfect time to add a new cookbook to your collection. And while we tend to browse Pinterest and find recipes online (like this one!), flipping through the pages of a cookbook the old fashioned way is always such a treat.
Travel Inspiration: Vietnam
Food in our house always comes with travel inspiration. Especially now that we’re not traveling.
It’s no surprise Vietnam is on my foodie bucket list. Let’s be honest. Every foodie has drooled and dreamed of travel after watching Anthony Bourdain’s excursions in Vietnam. The cuisine dominated by street food is known for its simplicity yet characteristic freshness with robust well balanced flavors.
I dream of devouring a crisp baguette with roasted pork bánh mì from Ho Chi Minh City. Following Bourdain and President Obama’s 2015 footsteps and dining on Hanoi’s famous Bún chả. Slurping warm and comforting noodle soups like Bún bò Huế and of course, the king of them all, Phở.
Little Vietnam in Orlando
As an Orlando resident, I’m proud to say we don’t have to travel far to experience fantastic Vietnamese cuisine.
“Little Vietnam” north of Downtown Orlando, represents one of the oldest Vietnamese communities in the United States. This iconic neighborhood, rebranded as the “Mills 50 District,” was originally populated in the 1970’s by Vietnamese war refugees who fled for a new life in America. It now features dozens of Asian restaurants, shops and markets owned by Chinese, Thai, Korean and other Asian nations along a 10-block stretch of Colonial Drive near Mills Avenue.
Until I can #MakeSomedayHappen and travel to Vietnam, I will happily keep the dream alive slurping noodles in Orlando. I love Hawkers Asian Street Fare and Pho Vinh for a quick fix.
When I want a hearty meal, I get Pho Vinh’s Xe Lưa, an extra large special combo bowl of Pho with slices of medium rare steak, brisket, flank, tendon and tripe. For when I want something lighter, Bún Tôm Nướng Thịt Nướng – rice vermicelli with grilled shrimp and charbroiled pork. And of course, finish with a sweet and strong Cà phê sữa đá (Vietnamese Coffee).
This One Pot Paleo Shrimp Pho Noodle Soup recipe was so easy to make and so flavorful. It’s perfect to satisfy the cravings at home. While nothing I make will ever replace my favorite pho from the awesome Vietnamese restaurants in Orlando’s Little Vietnam, this recipe is now one I will make time and time again when I want some good comfort food.
What is Pho?
Pho (pronounced ‘fuh’) is the national staple soup of Vietnam. Traditionally made with bone beef broth, rice noodles, and thinly sliced beef. The flavors vary across the country and even from table to table. The key about this dish is not just the broth, it’s also all the add-ins!
What is Pho Seasoned and Garnished With?
Most restaurants offer a choice of condiments such as hoisin sauce, soy sauce, and fish sauce to season your soup as you wish. A plate of fresh aromatic herbs, such as basil and cilantro, help infuse the broth with added flavors. Garnishes like bean sprouts, radishes and chili peppers add texture and contrast to help make the dish your own. Like it spicy? Add jalapenos, Sriracha or chili paste. Lastly spritz with a fresh lime wedge to make the flavors pop.
What is the Paleo Diet?
According to The Mayo Clinic, the paleo diet is a dietary plan based on foods similar to what might have been eaten during the Paleolithic era. It typically includes lean meats, fish, fruits, vegetables, nuts and seeds — foods that in the past could be obtained by hunting and gathering. A paleo diet limits foods that became common when farming emerged about 10,000 years ago. These foods include dairy products, legumes and grains.
While the paleo diet may be approachable, it can also lead to relying on highly processed foods.
“The One-Pot Paleo Cookbook combines the hearty flavors and health benefits of the paleo lifestyle with a variety of easy-to-make, single-vessel recipes to keep you on the paleo path.”
Shelley Law Ruttan
Get To Know Cookbook Author Shelby Law Ruttan
Shelby Law Ruttan, and her husband, aka Grumpy, live in the capital region of New York State, where they enjoy hunting, fishing, and traveling. She shares her family traditions, lifestyle tips, and favorite recipes via her websites, Grumpy’s Honeybunch and Honeybunch Hunts.
I was lucky to meet Shelby several years ago at the Food Wine Conference for bloggers. And have been following her on social media ever since. We are also both proud CK Mondavi & Family ambassadors!
Health issues required her to consider a lower carb lifestyle. Today, Shelby still creates family recipes for her family, but she’s incorporated gluten-free, low carb, Keto, and Paleo recipes to fit the various diets in her home.
Curious about how she decided which recipes would be featured in her first cookbook:
“I went with flavors and ingredients I love and hubby loves. Then I took a lot of recipes I already made in my kitchen and adapted them to fit the paleo diet. Coconut is used quite a bit in Paleo, so that is why you see several thai flavors incorporated into recipes.”
One Pot Paleo Cookbook
Explore the basics of the “cave-dweller diet” with paleo-approved foods and simple, easy to follow 100+ mouthwatering and nutritious meals that can be made with a “set it and forget it” approach.
With the One Pot Paleo cookbook, Shelby offers recommendations for ingredients to keep in your paleo-friendly pantry and tips to create your own paleo meals.
The book is easy to follow and includes plenty of information on how to gain the health and weight loss benefits of the paleo diet.
I discovered using ghee and shirataki noodles as a result of this Shrimp Pho Noodle Soup recipe and have now incorporated those ingredients into every day cooking.
While I don’t follow an exclusive paleo diet, it’s been great to incorporate healthier practices of this diet into our every day routine.
There’s so many recipes I can’t wait to try. I love that the book offers a wide range of cuisines from Asian to Mediterranean and Middle Eastern. In addition to soups and stews, there are breakfast dishes like lemon blueberry pancakes and butternut squash with sausage frittata. Vegetable, seafood, poultry, beef and pork main dishes including Brazilian fish stew, Asian lettuce cups, and curried turkey meatballs.
Get your copy of One Paleo Cookbook here!
This Shrimp Pho Noodle Soup Recipe is Very Versatile!
The Shrimp Pho is a recipe that shows the versatility of pho. It can be made with just about any protein. And you can add a variety of traditional mix ins and condiments to make the flavor your own. And you can make it with chicken, shrimp or vegetable stock.
Shelby tells me: “The shrimp pho came about because I have a Veal Meatball Pho on Grumpy’s Honeybunch and we LOVE Pho. I basically took my meatball pho and turned it into a shrimp pho!”
Make it Vegetarian Pho!
Instead of chicken stock, use vegetable stock and add bok choy, spinach and other veggies to keep it vegetarian. If you like tofu, use that instead of shrimp.
Make It Pesceterian Shrimp Pho!
I adapted the Shrimp Pho recipe in the book and actually made two different versions. One using boxed chicken stock as per the book and one using homemade shrimp stock for a pescetarian version. Both options were delicious. The Shrimp stock is much richer but requires a longer prep time to make the stock. Using boxed chicken stock is much easier and faster to make for a weeknight meal.
Shrimp Pho Noodle Soup Recipe
Fan of Pho? Here’s a fast, easy and Paleo friendly healthier version of the flavorful Vietnamese noodle soup using Shrimp, prepared chicken broth or shrimp stock, shirataki noodles and aromatic fresh herbs. Ready in less than 30 minutes, perfect for weeknight dinners or lazy afternoons. Recipe is a variation of One Pot Paleo Cookbook by Shelby Law Ruttan.
- 1 tablespoon ghee
- 1 pound raw shrimp (peeled and deveined)
- 1 teaspoon salt (I used 1 teaspoon Lawry’s Garlic Salt and omitted garlic powder)
- ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- 6 cups chicken broth (I used chicken bone broth and shrimp broth for pescetarian version)
- 1 teaspoon grated peeled fresh ginger
- 1 6 oz package shirataki noodles (drained and rinsed)
- Fresh basil leaves for garnish (optional. I also added cilantro and mint)
- Jalapeno pepper slices for garnish (optional)
- Lime wedges for serving (optional)
- Mung bean sprouts (I added this for additional crunch)
- Chili paste or sriracha hot chili sauce (optional)
- In a large stockpot, over medium high heat, melt the ghee. Add the shrimp, salt, pepper, red pepper flakes, and garlic powder. Cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, or until the shrimp turns opaque.
- Add the chicken broth and ginger. Bring the soup to a boil and then remove from heat.
- Stir in the shirataki noodles.
- Serve topped with fresh herbs (if using), jalapeno slices (if using) and lime wedge on the side for squeezing.
Save time by using precooked shrimp.Simply add it in step 2.
The more fresh herbs the better. Although the recipe says they are optional, don’t skip them and don’t skimp on them. I used a mix of cilantro, mint and sweet basil.
Jalapeno slices and hot sauce are for those who love it spicy. Omit if you don’t.
Are you craving this Shrimp Pho Noodle Soup yet? I’m ready to make another batch.
I hope you’re inspired to celebrate at home and keep your travel dreams alive. #MakeSomedayHappen one delicious bite, sip and trip at a time. If you do make this recipe, please share on social media and tag @goepicurista #GoEpicRecipes. I would love to virtually clink glasses with you.
Cheers!
Go Epicurista
Disclosure: I was gifted a copy of this cookbook for review purposes. I am under no obligation to share this post. As always, all opinions are my own. I only share with you products and experiences I love to inspire you to safely get together with family and friends, celebrate life and go #MakeSomedayHappen one delicious bite, sip and trip at a time! You can read more about my guidelines in my disclosure policy. Cheers!
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