Take-out: Pho

Confession: Even though I love to cook, there are times when we enjoy take-out. We try to limit it to 2 or 3 times a month, though.

One of the best parts about living in the close-in suburbs of DC is the amazing variety of restaurants, especially ethnic ones. Chinese, Thai, Korean, Vietnamese, Afghani, Peruvian, Ethiopian... you name it, we probably have it nearby.

Our go-to take-out meal when one of us is feeling under the weather is pho (pronounced "fuh") - Vietnamese noodle soup. There is a great pho restaurant about 10 minutes from us called Pho Vinh Loi.

If you've never had pho, it is thinly sliced pieces of beef and rice noodles in beef broth and served with an array of condiments so that you can flavor it however you like: plum sauce, sriracha (hot sauce), lime wedges, bean sprouts, Thai basil, cilantro, jalapenos, onions, and scallions.

It's very inexpensive too, only $7 for a bowl (and I can get two meals out of mine).