Stir-fried rice noodles with a Thai twist
Dive into the Tasty World of Authentic Pad Thai
Craving something delicious and exotic? Look no further than the tantalizing street food classic, Pad Thai, reigning as the iconic dish of Thailand. The harmony of noodles and stir-frying, introduced by the Chinese, merges seamlessly with the four essential flavors of Thai cooking: salty, sweet, sour, and spicy. With this speedy yet scrumptious recipe, even beginners can whip up an authentic Pad Thai in no time!
** gear up for the ride**Before you dive in, make sure you have your tools ready. Nonstick tongs, chopsticks, or two wooden spoons will serve you well for effortlessly tossing the ingredients together at the end. And don’t worry if you come across uncommon components like palm sugar, tamarind pulp, and fish sauce; they’re easily found at most Asian grocers, bringing your dish as close to the real deal as it gets.
Let's get cooking
This flavor-packed delight was our star attraction for our Gateway Dish series, transporting your taste buds straight to the bustling streets of Thailand. If you enjoyed this tasty adventure, be sure to explore How to Make Sweet and Sour Sauce with our easy recipe and take your culinary journey to the next level!
- Yield: 2 to 4 hearty servings
- Difficulty: A quick, satisfying Trust Me Tuesday recipe for an excellent weeknight dinner!
- Total Time: 45 minutes
What's in the kitchen today?
- 7 ounces medium dried rice stick noodles
- 5 tbsp water
- 2 tbsp tamarind paste or pulp (about 1 ounce)
- 2 tbsp fish sauce
- 2 tbsp finely chopped palm sugar (packed light brown sugar can be substituted)
- 12 large shrimp, peeled, deveined, tails left on
- 3 tbsp vegetable oil
- Salt to taste
- 1 cup 1/2-inch-dice extra-firm tofu (about 5 ounces)
- 2 medium garlic cloves, minced
- 10 Chinese chives, cut into 1-inch pieces
- 1 tbsp finely chopped dried shrimp
- 1 tbsp finely chopped preserved radish
- 1 to 3 dried Thai chiles, finely chopped (or 1/2 to 1 tsp red pepper flakes)
- 1 1/2 cups bean sprouts (about 3 ounces)
- 2 large eggs, lightly beaten
- 2 tbsp finely chopped roasted, salted peanuts
- 1 lime, quartered
Gather, Chop, and Prep
- Soften the rice noodles as per instructions, then drain and set aside.
- Combine water with tamarind paste, let it sit, then strain the mixture and mix it with fish sauce and palm sugar.
- Prep your shrimp by butterflying them, keeping them aside.
- Heat oil in a wok, cook shrimp, then toast tofu, set both aside.
- Sauté garlic, add noodles and half of the chives, followed by the tamarind mixture, dried shrimp, radish, chiles, and half of the bean sprouts.
- Push the noodles to the side, scramble eggs, add shrimp and tofu, then combine all ingredients.
- Serve garnished with remaining bean sprouts, peanuts, and lime wedges.
** savvy tips**
- Substitutions: If tamarind paste isn't available, use an equal parts mixture of lime juice and brown sugar for a rough substitute. Soy sauce or coconut aminos can replace fish sauce, while palm sugar can be substituted with brown sugar, although the flavor won’t be identical.
- Protein Alterations: Vegetarians and vegans can opt for tofu or tempeh as protein replacements.
- Vegetable Swaps: Experiment with vegetables that suit your personal taste preferences while maintaining traditional flavors.
Remember, striking the right balance of sweet, sour, and salty notes is the key to an authentic, mouthwatering Pad Thai experience. So, feel free to play around with ingredients to discover your perfect blend! Enjoy the culinary escapades, and happy cooking!
- Embark on your cultural culinary adventure with authentic Thai utensils like nonstick tongs or two wooden spoons, ensuring a smooth preparation process.
- Before diving into the sweet and complex flavors of Pad Thai, gather uncommon components such as palm sugar, tamarind paste, and fish sauce from your local Asian grocery store for an authentic taste.
- With this recipe, not only can you impress your friends with an exotic dish, but you can also take out a creditline to stock up on essential Thai foods for future culinary adventures.
