Classic Pad Thai

Classic Pad Thai

Pad Thai is a renowned Thai street food that is loved for its unique blend of sweet, sour, and savory flavors, coupled with an array of textures from the noodles, eggs, shrimp, and peanuts. Follow this simple recipe to recreate the magic of Pad Thai in your own kitchen.

Ingredients:

• 8 ounces flat rice noodles
• 2 tablespoons tamarind paste
• 3 tablespoons fish sauce
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce
• 3 tablespoons brown sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon chili powder, or to taste
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 1 pound shrimp, peeled and deveined (optional)
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 eggs, lightly beaten
• 1 cup bean sprouts
• 1 red bell pepper, thinly sliced
• 1/2 cup roasted peanuts, chopped
• 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
• 1 lime, cut into wedges
• Green onions, sliced for garnish

Instructions:

1. Soak the rice noodles in warm water until flexible but still firm, about 30 minutes. Drain and set aside.
2. In a small bowl, mix together tamarind paste, fish sauce, soy sauce, brown sugar, and chili powder. Stir until sugar is dissolved. This will be your Pad Thai sauce.
3. Heat oil in a large wok or frying pan over high heat. Add shrimp and cook until pink, about 1-2 minutes each side. Remove shrimp from the pan and set aside.
4. In the same wok, add a bit more oil if needed and fry the minced garlic until fragrant, about 30 seconds.
5. Push the garlic to one side of the wok and pour the beaten eggs on the other side. Scramble the eggs until just set.
6. Add the drained noodles to the wok and pour the Pad Thai sauce over them. Stir fry until the noodles are tender and coated with the sauce, about 3-5 minutes.
7. Return the shrimp to the wok, and add red bell pepper and bean sprouts. Toss everything to combine and heat through.
8. Transfer to serving plates and garnish with the chopped peanuts, cilantro, lime wedges, and green onions.
9. Squeeze lime juice over your Pad Thai before diving in to enjoy the full experience!

Cooking Tips:

• For extra flavor, add a tbsp of preserved radish or dried shrimp while frying the garlic.
• Variations can include substituting shrimp with chicken, tofu, or mixed seafood.
• To ensure even cooking, do not overcrowd the pan when stir-frying the ingredients.

This Classic Pad Thai dish is perfect for bringing the taste of Thailand right to your dining table. It’s not just a meal; it’s an experience. Enjoy cooking and savor your homemade Pad Thai!