Frédéric Bazille was an impressionist painter interested in the effects of light who worked with a dark palette. His peers included Pierre Auguste Renoir, Claude Monet, Alfred Sisley, and Édouard Manet, although it was the work of Eugène Delacroix that inspired him to become an artist. While simultaneously studying art and medicine Bazille struggled to maintain both disciplines. After abandoning his medical studies he submitted two paintings to the Paris Salon but only the still life, Nature morte avec du poisson (Still life with fish) (c. 1866–67), was accepted (1). Like Manet, Bazille disregarded all typical modes of representing perspectival space within Soup Bowl Covers (1864). The covers themselves float upon a dark background with the left cover appearing to precariously balance upon it’s curved edge.
Phở is a beef and rice noodle soup from North Vietnam. Traditionally the broth is made by simmering beef bones with charred onions and an array of spices (cinnamon, coriander seeds, fennel seeds, cloves, ginger, and cardamon). The soup is customised by the customer with a variety of garnishes and in Vietnam a species of peanut worm, sá sùng, is added to sweeten the broth as well as a pheromone extract from the giant water bug to lend a spicy note. Phonetically the word Phở is thought to have originated from the French word feu meaning fire. The use of charred onions to flavor the soup is a French influence found in the popular dish pot-au-feu (2).
Prawn Phở
adapted from the Steamy Kitchen Cookbook
2 TB coriander seeds
4 cloves
2 star anise
2 liters fish stock
500 g raw prawns
1/2 red onion, sliced
3 inch piece of ginger, sliced and crushed
1 1/2 tsp sugar
2 tsp fish sauce
1 package dried rice noodles, prepared according to the package
Soup Accompaniments:
1 lime, quartered
1 red chili, sliced
fresh coriander
bean sprouts, washed and trimmed
red onion, very thinly sliced
Heat a large pot over medium heat and toast the coriander seeds, cloves, and star anise for 3-4 minutes. Once toasted add the stock, ginger, sugar, fish sauce, and sliced onion. Bring to a boil and reduce the heat to a simmer. Cook for 10-15 minutes and add the raw prawns. Cook an additional 5-10 minutes until the prawns are done. Strain the broth.
Spoon the prepared noodles into serving bowls. Divide the prawns and add to the bowls before ladling in the broth. Serve while hot with accompaniments.
20 comments
Rosa's Yummy Yums says:
Oct 15, 2009
Very well done! It looks wonderful! I love that last pic!br /br /Cheers,br /br /Rosa
Jaime says:
Oct 15, 2009
That looks warm and yummy. Cool last shot.
Heavenly Housewife says:
Oct 15, 2009
I#39;ve never had pho, but this is the second time i#39;ve seen it this week. I love the beautiful colours in it. I can see how it was inspired by artworks :D.
Lauren says:
Oct 15, 2009
Love learning all of the history =D. Your pho looks stunning amp; I love the action shot!
Betty says:
Oct 16, 2009
i adore the way you lay out your posts, with art works as well as interesting related info!br /br /prawn pho is a first i#39;ve heard of (i#39;m viet aswell hehe) so thats a very interesting concept
nikki says:
Oct 16, 2009
Your bowl of pho photo is a great interpretation of Brazille#39;s quot;Soup Bowl Coversquot; suspended in shadow. Nice plating and lime action shot as well!
taste traveller says:
Oct 16, 2009
The last shot is great! Also, thanks for sharing on the history of Pho.
Siri says:
Oct 16, 2009
If I wasn#39;t going out for Vietnamese tonight, I might just me tempted to make some pho this week.br /br /LOVE the photo of the steaming bowl with the chopsticks sitting on top.
Hungry Dog says:
Oct 16, 2009
I love pho…it#39;s so comforting! And I#39;m really loving the picture with the lime. I#39;m totally impressed.
shaz says:
Oct 16, 2009
Mmm…pho – such a satisfying meal. Your photos are so amazing (as usual), love the shots of the steaming bowl and the juicy lime).
Amy I. says:
Oct 17, 2009
How clever to use prawns! I#39;ll have to try this version sometime. That lime-squirting shot is incredible, I#39;m completely smitten with it :)
dessert girl says:
Oct 19, 2009
Love the shot with the steam coming off the bowl! It makes me want to reach out and grab it! :-)
Anh says:
Oct 20, 2009
What an excellent effort for this month challange. I love it!
Julie says:
Oct 21, 2009
The photo of lime squirting into the bowl is so rich and lovely, it makes me feel as if I am in the kitchen chopping vegetables with you. I wish I was…
liz says:
Oct 23, 2009
Gorgeous photo with the steam coming out of the bowl – one of your best yet.
Chou says:
Oct 24, 2009
I feel a bit off today, and the thought of pho is perfect. Yum. I love the picture you chose to go w/ this post, it works so well.
From Me To You says:
Oct 28, 2009
Oh wow, that#39;s so great, I was talking about making Pho last night and then I see this! I can#39;t wait to try it, beautiful inspiration piece too.
Jill says:
Oct 28, 2009
I loved EVERY SINGLE picture in this post–the oil painting is so great, I couldn#39; stop looking at it. Your prawn pho sounds so delicious and the picture with the lime squeeze was AMAZING!! :)
Jeanne says:
Nov 3, 2009
What wonderful photos!
kathy says:
Apr 8, 2010
Hmm.. looks appetizing to me. Great photos! :-)