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Since being sick my appetite has been waaaay off, and I know when I’m not interested in eating there is something way wrong!  I always seem to be interested in food!  Hence the name, right?  Hopefully this virus that has taken over my body will part ways soon and I can get my normal energy back.  In the mean time, I’ve been trying to find food that sounds appetizing and I haven’t had much luck.  I stand in front of the fridge pondering and waiting, just waiting to see if a good craving will pop up.  Nothing but a small, ‘meh’ emerges, along with a painful cough.  I just eat because I know that’s what I should do.  But, alas!  I actually found a great product that soothed my sore throat and chest and was pretty much the only thing that has made my tummy happy.  

I had a sample of  Happy Pho that I received to review from Star Anise Foods in my pantry waiting for me to try, and I knew this would be the perfect opportunity.  There is nothing like a warm, soothing bowl of noodley, soup goodness to bring comfort to one’s soul.  I, in fact, was in heaven.

In each ‘Garlic Goodness’ package there is a spice packet and a noodle packet which may not seem like such a big deal, but let me tell you it is.

Each noodle packet contains:

• 100% brown rice
• water
• organic green tea
• salt

Each spice packet contains:

• Organic star anise
• organic Saigon cinnamon
• garlic
• ginger
• spring onion
• black cardamom

The aroma that emerges from this packet is out of this world, very licorice-y and warm, full of depth and flavor.  I love the fact that there aren’t any other weird ingredients and the sodium is not through the roof like most soup mixes.  Happy Pho is also gluten free.

There are directions on the box as well, and I went for the semi-vegetarian version because I only had chicken broth on hand.  I started out by searing the cubed tofu and some green onion, removed it from the pan and added the broth and spice packet.

Once that got to a gentle boil I added the tofu, noodles, spinach and green onion to warm.  It cooks very quickly!

These noodles weren’t like any I’ve had before.  They had the perfect springy texture.

I didn’t have any cilantro or lime on hand, but it still tasted fantastic!

Slurp, Slurp, Slurp!  This is not the type of meal to have on your first date.  You should have heard me slurping and smacking, with broth flinging everywhere, and I loved every bite!

Even though the package says there are 2 servings, this easily feeds 3.  In fact, I had it for lunch, dinner and then lunch the next day right in a row!  Sorry Chris none for you!

These facts of course don’t include the tofu, spinach and broth additions.

My other bowl w/ 2 servings . . .

Yum in my tum!

There aren’t any stores that carry it here in Vegas, but you can find Star Anise Foods in some stores and can also let them know if you can’t find it.  I’m waiting for it to be available on Amazon again too.  I’m actually craving another bowl.

Well, there you have it a happy tummy with Happy Pho 🙂

What’s your favorite comfort food when you’re sick?