Go Back Email Link

Pad Thai (Adapted from Simple Thai Food)

Iconic Thai rice noodle dish, Pad Thai you can make at home!
Prep Time45 minutes
Cook Time7 minutes
Course: dinner, lunch, noodles, One dish meals
Cuisine: Thai
Keyword: pad thai, rice noodle dish, rice noodles, Thai

Ingredients

  • 4 ounces dried rice noodles 1/8 to 1/4 inch wide

Sauce

  • 2 tablespoons tamarind pulp
  • 2 tablespoons fish sauce I like 3 Crabs brand
  • 3 Tablespoons palm sugar grated or 2 tablespoons brown sugar
  • 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon chili flakes

Aromatics

  • 1 shallot finely chopped
  • 2 medium cloves garlic minced
  • 1/4 cup finely chopped preserved relish* optional
  • 2 tablespoons tiny dried shrimp soaked in hot water for 15 minutes and drained*
  • 5 tablespoons vegetable oil divided
  • 6 ounces skinless boneless chicken breast trimmed of visible fat and sliced into 1/4-inch thick strips or 6- 8 ounces large raw shrimp, peeled and deveined or a combination of both
  • 6 ounces extra firm tofu cut into matchsticks 1" long, 1/4 inch wide
  • 2 eggs lightly beaten
  • 6 Chinese chives or green part of 3 green onions cut into 1 inch lengths
  • 2 cups bean sprouts or 1 cup bean sprouts + 1cup shredded red cabbage

Condiments:

  • 1/3-1/2 cup roasted peanuts finely chopped
  • 1 lime cut into wedges for garnish
  • Fish sauce
  • Red Chile powder
  • Sugar
  • Cilantro sprigs

Instructions

  • Place dried noodles in room temp water and cover for 30-40 minutes until soft enough and pliable enough to wrap around finger without breaking. Drain and set aside.
  • Or bring enough water to a boil to cover noodles. Place noodles in bowl and put heated water over noodles. Let stand for 3 minutes, drain and set aside.
  • In small bowl, stir together sugar, tamarind, fish sauce and chili flakes. If using palm sugar make sure to crush or grate the sugar to help it dissolve. Set aside.
  • Heat 3 tablespoons of oil in a flat bottom wok or large frying pan (non-stick), add noodles and stir fry for about 1 min making sure the noodles are soft and coated with the oil.
  • Add sauce mixture to pan, stir fry for additional minute to coat noodles with sauce.
  • Push noodles to one side of pan, add & heat remaining oil. Add shallot, garlic, radish, tofu and dried shrimp to open side of pan. Stir fry additional minute.
  • Add shrimp or protein to shallot mixture side of pan and cook until the shrimp or chicken is almost cooked through 1-2 minutes.
  • Clear center of pan and pour eggs in, stir the eggs similar to cooking scrambled eggs.
  • Once eggs are cooked and most of moisture from noodles has evaporated, stir everything together.
  • Just before removing pan from the heat, fold in half the sprouts, green onions or chives and/or cabbage. AS soon as the vegetables are mixed in remove from heat and plate.
  • Garnish with remaining sprouts, peanuts, cilantro and condiments as desired. Place lime wedges on plate to squeeze on noodles.
  • Serve immediately YUM