Pho sure

It is absolutely possible to have fantastically fragrant and savory pho without a trace of beef, which it's traditionally made with. Pho fanatics might ask, “Does it compare to the meat version, though?” Does it matter if it's delicious? Dude, open your mind and open your mouth. There are plenty of recipes for plant-based broth in cookbooks and on the Internet. Start with this one from Vegetarian Times magazine: http://tiny.cc/vegpho. If you're crunched for time (or just lazy—no judgment), Pacific Foods makes an organic Vegetarian Pho Soup Base. It's a suitable starter. Add a few peppercorns, coriander seeds and star anise to increase its flavor. Or, just use the starter in place of vegetable broth in the Times' recipe, minus the dried shiitake. See? You don't have to torture and kill a cow to have a lovely bowl of soup. How nice!