Pho Yo

March 17, 2025

Certificate of Essence

Blend Name: Pho Yo Soup Blend

Blend Recipe:  Star Anise, Cinnamon (Cassia Bark), Cloves, Cardamom Pods (Black), Coriander Seeds, Fennel Seeds, Black Peppercorns, Ginger Powder


Introduction

Welcome to the Certificate of Essence—a unique and innovative approach to capturing the true essence of a persona through the art of spice blending. At the heart of this process lies our proprietary Personaware™ technology, which enables us to represent one's persona in a digital form, with color as the mediator. This document serves as proof that your blend is not just unique but is uniquely you.

Ingredients & Essence Mapping for Food Pairings:


  • Star Anise: Represents warmth and boldness, perfect for creating depth in broth-based dishes.
  • Cinnamon (Cassia Bark): Embodies sweetness and complexity, ideal for balancing savory and sweet tones.
  • Cloves: Adds pungent spice and aromatic richness, lifting hearty stews or soups.
  • Cardamom Pods (Black): Symbolizes freshness and balance, enhancing flavors in soups or teas.
  • Coriander Seeds: Offers brightness and a touch of citrus, excellent for lightening rich broths.
  • Fennel Seeds: Contributes a subtle licorice sweetness, pairing perfectly with roasted meats or vegetables.
  • Black Peppercorns: Brings grounding heat and earthy intensity to any dish.
  • Ginger Powder: Provides zesty warmth, perfect for adding a refreshing kick to soups or marinades.

Flavor Profile

The Pho Yo Soup Blend delivers a complex, aromatic, and well-balanced flavor profile. Sweet, spicy, and subtly earthy notes come together to create a rich and comforting base for Vietnamese-style soups.


Personaware™ Profile:

  • Primary Fundamental Frequency Color: Golden Amber (#FFBF00)
  • Color Psychology: This color evokes warmth, comfort, and vitality, reflecting the blend’s rich and harmonious flavors.
  • Color Theory: Golden Amber harmonizes the warmth of cinnamon and star anise with the earthy richness of cloves and fennel.
  • Color Philosophy: Represents the nurturing, balancing nature of pho—an embrace in every bowl.

Blend Summary

The Pho Yo Soup Blend is a testament to the art of crafting rich, balanced flavors. Perfectly suited for creating comforting pho or elevating other culinary creations, it carries the spirit of Vietnamese cuisine in every pinch.


Certified by:

🧙‍♂️ ~The Spice Wizard of Chef Heart

🌟 Recipe 1: Classic Beef Pho

A comforting bowl of rich, aromatic broth brimming with tender beef, fresh herbs, and silky rice noodles—Vietnamese tradition in every spoonful.

Ingredients:

  • 8 cups beef broth
  • 1 lb beef bones (optional, for extra richness)
  • 1 oz Pho Yo Soup Blend (in a spice bag or tea strainer)
  • 1 lb thinly sliced beef (e.g., brisket, sirloin)
  • 14 oz rice noodles
  • 1 medium onion, charred
  • 2-inch piece of ginger, charred
  • 2 tbsp fish sauce
  • Fresh herbs (cilantro, Thai basil)
  • Lime wedges
  • Bean sprouts
  • Chili slices (optional)

Instructions:

  1. Simmer beef broth with beef bones, onion, ginger, and Pho Yo Soup Blend for 1.5–2 hours.
  2. Strain the broth and season with fish sauce.
  3. Cook rice noodles according to package instructions.
  4. Arrange noodles in bowls, add raw sliced beef, and pour hot broth over to cook the meat.
  5. Garnish with fresh herbs, lime, bean sprouts, and chili slices.

Recipe 2: Pho-Inspired Chicken Marinade

Succulent, golden-grilled chicken infused with bold Vietnamese spices, delivering a zesty and savory punch in every bite.

Ingredients:

  • 2 lbs chicken breasts
  • 2 tbsp Pho Yo Soup Blend
  • 2 tbsp fish sauce
  • 2 tbsp soy sauce
  • 2 tbsp lime juice
  • 1 tbsp honey
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tbsp vegetable oil

Instructions:

  1. In a bowl, mix Pho Yo Soup Blend, fish sauce, soy sauce, lime juice, honey, garlic, and vegetable oil.
  2. Add the chicken and marinate for at least 2 hours (or overnight for deeper flavor).
  3. Grill chicken on medium-high heat until cooked through, with a golden-brown char.
  4. Serve with lime wedges and fresh cilantro as garnish.

🥘 Poultry Rubbed Chicken & Vegetable Stew

A hearty stew where the poultry rub infuses rich, comforting flavors into every bite.

Ingredients:

  • 1 lb chicken thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 2 tbsp poultry rub
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 onion, diced
  • 2 carrots, sliced
  • 2 celery stalks, sliced
  • 3 cups chicken broth
  • 1 cup diced potatoes
  • 1 tsp fresh thyme (optional)

Instructions:

  1. Toss the chicken pieces with the poultry rub until evenly coated.
  2. Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Brown the chicken pieces, then remove and set aside.
  3. In the same pot, sauté the onion, carrots, and celery until softened.
  4. Add the chicken back to the pot along with the chicken broth, potatoes, and thyme.
  5. Simmer for 25-30 minutes, or until the potatoes are tender and the flavors meld together. Serve hot with crusty bread.

Recent Post

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🌿 Ingredients and Essence Mapping for Food Pairings Sea Salt – The Harmonizer: Grounds the flavors with cohesion and balance. (Perfect for: Pork ribs, roasted potatoes) Raw Sugar – The Charmer: Adds sweet caramelization and contrast. (Ideal in BBQ sauce glazes or rubbed on grilled chicken) Onion – The Foundation: Deep, savory base for complexity. (Pairs beautifully with baked beans and slow-cooked meats) Coriander – The Bright Lift: Offers citrusy warmth. (Excellent with grilled vegetables or pulled pork) Garlic – The Bold Spirit: Essential savoriness and backbone. (Complements burgers, brisket, and marinades) Ginger – The Spark: Bright and spicy, adds lift. (Great in rubs for lamb or chicken thighs) Black Pepper – The Kick: Adds sharp depth and warmth. (Enhances any red meat or BBQ sauce) Allspice, Cloves, Nutmeg, Cinnamon – The Echoes of Old: These warming spices add layers of nostalgic depth. (Best in ribs, rubs for winter roasts, and bean stews) Thyme, Oregano, Sage, Rosemary – The Earthbound Mystics: Herbal notes for grounding and green touch. (Essential with pork or hearty mushrooms) Sweet Smoked Paprika, Roasted Red Bell Pepper, Hickory Smoked Sea Salt – The Smoke Spirits: Smoky and sweet, echoing wood-fired feasts. (Best used in grilling, especially pork, brisket, or smoked tofu) Toasted Cumin, Red Chili Pepper, Chili Powder – The Firekeepers: Add heat and depth. (Delicious in BBQ sauces or dry rubs for ribs and wings)
June 13, 2025
🌟 Flavor Profile: Smoky, Earthy, Herbal with a touch of Desert Sweetness Balanced, rooted, and complex—this blend offers immediate warmth followed by a lingering depth. It suits both wild and refined palates, delivering a tasting experience as strategic and satisfying as a round at Scarecrow.
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🌟 Flavor Profile: Savory , smoky , and citrusy with just enough heat to spark memory and pride. The blend is ideal for grilled flank or skirt steak, layered in tradition and fire. 🧭 Ingredients & Their Culinary Magic
May 29, 2025
Introduction: Welcome to the Certificate of Essence—a unique and innovative approach to capturing the true essence of a place through the art of spice blending. At the heart of this process lies our proprietary Personaware™ technology, which enables us to represent the essence of the Wagon Wheel Bar & Grill in a digital form, with color and flavor as the mediators. This document serves as proof that the blends on your tables are not just seasonings—they are uniquely crafted to enhance the dining experience at the Wagon Wheel. Personaware™ is a process where Artificial Intelligence and culinary artistry come together. By understanding everything that makes the Wagon Wheel special, we’ve created two distinct spice blends that reflect the warmth, tradition, and boldness that define this beloved local establishment .
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🧭 Ingredients & Their Culinary Magic Lavender (Toasted) – The Floral Whisper: Offers a calming, aromatic overtone that evokes the river breeze and vineyard bloom. Coriander Seed – The Citrus Note: Adds subtle earthiness with a light zest, echoing sun-soaked vines. Dill Weed – The Garden Spark: A crisp, bright green note for freshness and open-air clarity. Cinnamon (Saigon) – The Warm Embrace: Comforting, sweet spice that deepens the blend’s harmony. Fennel Seed – The Elegant Sweetness: Licorice-toned balance for savory or sweet pairings. Black Pepper (Ground) – The Structured Flame: Classic heat with a clean, earthy edge. Sweet Smoked Paprika – The Embered Mystery: Smoldering warmth that ties every note together. Sea Salt: Supports both floral and savory notes without overwhelming the character. 🌿 Flavor Profile Earthy, floral, and grounded with a subtle sweetness and warm spice. Balances tranquility with creative depth—mirroring the riverside landscape and timeless craft of winemaking.
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🌿 Ingredients and Essence Mapping for Food Pairings Sea Salt – The Harmonizer: Grounds the flavors with cohesion and balance. (Perfect for: Pork ribs, roasted potatoes) Raw Sugar – The Charmer: Adds sweet caramelization and contrast. (Ideal in BBQ sauce glazes or rubbed on grilled chicken) Onion – The Foundation: Deep, savory base for complexity. (Pairs beautifully with baked beans and slow-cooked meats) Coriander – The Bright Lift: Offers citrusy warmth. (Excellent with grilled vegetables or pulled pork) Garlic – The Bold Spirit: Essential savoriness and backbone. (Complements burgers, brisket, and marinades) Ginger – The Spark: Bright and spicy, adds lift. (Great in rubs for lamb or chicken thighs) Black Pepper – The Kick: Adds sharp depth and warmth. (Enhances any red meat or BBQ sauce) Allspice, Cloves, Nutmeg, Cinnamon – The Echoes of Old: These warming spices add layers of nostalgic depth. (Best in ribs, rubs for winter roasts, and bean stews) Thyme, Oregano, Sage, Rosemary – The Earthbound Mystics: Herbal notes for grounding and green touch. (Essential with pork or hearty mushrooms) Sweet Smoked Paprika, Roasted Red Bell Pepper, Hickory Smoked Sea Salt – The Smoke Spirits: Smoky and sweet, echoing wood-fired feasts. (Best used in grilling, especially pork, brisket, or smoked tofu) Toasted Cumin, Red Chili Pepper, Chili Powder – The Firekeepers: Add heat and depth. (Delicious in BBQ sauces or dry rubs for ribs and wings)
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🌿 Ingredients and Essence Mapping for Food Pairings Spanish Paprika – Warmth and foundation; balances sweetness and spice Ground Mustard Seed – A spark of boldness; adds sharp undertone to fatty cuts Cumin – Deep, smoky richness; signature BBQ earthiness Oregano – Aromatic lift; herbal sharpness for pork bark Brown Sugar – Caramelization wizard; builds crust and sweetness Red Chili Flakes – Heartbeat of heat; low-smolder warmth Garlic – Universal backbone; rounds out the base Onion – Savory bloom; enhances meat umami Kosher Salt - Lifts and expands the flavors Best paired with: Brisket, pork shoulder, ribs, beef short ribs, and even roasted vegetables.
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🌿 Ingredients and Essence Mapping for Food Pairings Ground Fennel – Bright anise spark; brings aromatic sharpness Ground Rosemary – Bold herbal notes; piercing flavor for white meats Ground Sage – Soft and savory; grounding force in rub Ground Thyme – Layered and aromatic; culinary glue of the mix Sugar – Maillard builder; mild caramel edge Granulated Garlic – Universal base; adds savor Granulated Onion – Adds depth; smooth finish Kosher Salt – Flavor conductor Best paired with: Chicken, pork, turkey, grilled white fish, and creamy dressings.
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Ingredients and Essence Mapping for  Food Pairings
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