Pho is perfect for slow cooker

Chicken pho, a classic Vietnamese soup, is a perfect recipe for a slow cooker. The chicken and seasonings of star anise, cloves and ginger simmer all day in the crock pot, filling your home with an alluring aroma.

Star anise, named for its star-shaped pods that come from a small evergreen tree native to China, lends a licorice-like flavor to many Asian dishes.

Serve the pho with fresh herbs, bean sprouts, chiles and lime, and let everyone top their own.