Drunken Noodle Pad Kee Mao Recipe Vegetarian

VEGAN THAI DRUNKEN NOODLES (PAD KEE MAO)

Steps:

• Simply mix everything together in a bowl until the sugar has dissolved and then set it aside. Feel free to adjust the measurements depending on your desired taste.
• If using tofu, press the tofu for 8 to 10 minutes to drain out excess water. I like to do this by wrapping the tofu in a towel and placing a heavy board or surface on top.
• Afterwards, slice into 1"x2" (2.5 by 5 cm) strips or other shape of choice.
• Place the dry rice noodles in a heatproof bowl. Pour in boiling hot water until the noodles are completely submerged.
• Leave the noodles to soak in the water for 8 to 10 minutes or until they're not longer translucent and still very chewy. The noodles will turn chewy, white, and pliable. Drain from the water and set aside. I usually like to soak them in the water right before I start cooking so I can directly transfer the freshly soaked noodles in the pan.
• If using fresh rice noodles, simply carefully separate these. You may need to run them through some water to separate them easier. If purchasing fresh rice noodles, check with the package instructions for any preparation methods, if any.
• Heat a large pan or wok over high heat. Once hot, add in 2 tbsp oil. Sauté the onion, green onions, and garlic for 2 minutes or until tender and translucent.
• Add in the bell pepper and cook for 2 to 3 minutes until tender.
• Move the veggies to the side of the pan. Add in the remaining 1 tbsp oil.
• Over high heat, add in the strips of tofu.
• Pour in the vegan fish sauce and white pepper, to season the tofu. Flip over the tofu once golden brown to cook the remaining side.
• When the tofu is golden brown, mix it in with the bell peppers and onions.
• Move that aside and then quickly add in the chopped chili and fresh basil. Lower the heat to medium high and then mix everything together. Cook for 2 minutes or until the basil is slightly wilted.
• Add in the rice noodles noodles to the pan. Then over medium heat, pour in the sauce mixture.
• Mix well to completely coat the noodles.
• Leave the noodles to simmer over medium high heat or until the sauce starts to boil. Mix every 30 seconds or so to prevent the noodles from sticking to the bottom of the pan. The chewy noodles will continue to cook and absorb the flavours from the sauce!
• Turn off the heat and feel free to mix in more fresh basil leaves and chopped chili if you'd like!
• Serve hot and enjoy!

PAD KEE MAO (DRUNKEN NOODLES)

Steps:

• Combine habanero pepper, olive oil, vinegar, and soy sauce for pepper sauce in a small bowl; set aside.
• Combine fish sauce, oyster sauce, soy sauce, brown sugar, sesame oil, and white pepper for noodle sauce in another bowl; stir until sugar has dissolved and set aside.
• Place rice noodles in a large bowl and cover with boiling water. Soak until tender, 4 to 8 minutes. Rinse thoroughly with cold water and leave in a colander until well drained.
• Meanwhile, combine ginger, garlic, and basil in a small bowl.
• Slice scallion greens and put in a small bowl for garnishing. Slice scallion whites and put in another bowl with bok choy, snow peas, bean sprouts, bell pepper, and onion.
• Heat oil in a wok or pan over medium-high heat until searing hot, but barley smoking. Add chicken; sear quickly on both sides until 90% cooked, 2 to 3 minutes. Transfer chicken to a clean bowl. If the wok was hot enough when you added the chicken, there should be little to no residue on the bottom. If there is, wash or switch pans before continuing.
• Add a small splash of oil to the wok. Dump in the ginger mixture with 1/4 teaspoon of the pepper sauce. Cook for 30 seconds. Add the bowl of vegetables; cook, stirring frequently and scraping the bottom of the wok, until tender, 1 to 2 minutes. Return chicken to the wok and stir-fry until cooked through, 30 seconds to 1 minutes. Add noodles and fish sauce; cook until heated through, 1 to 2 minutes.
• Taste and add 1/4 teaspoons pepper sauce until a good level of spice has been achieved. Cook and stir until everything is well coated in sauce and takes on a light brown color, 1 to 2 minutes more.
• Garnish with scallion greens and serve with lime wedges and remaining pepper sauce.

PAD KEE MAO (DRUNKEN NOODLES)

Steps:

• Prepare the noodles: Place dried noodles in a large bowl and cover with hot tap water. Let soak while you prepare the remaining ingredients, allowing the water to cool, and stirring and separating the noodles occasionally with your hands. (This will take 30 to 40 minutes, depending on the brand.) When ready, noodles will be white, limp and almost soft to the bite. (They will cook a little more later on.) Pour off all the water, fluff noodles with your hands, and set aside.
• Meanwhile, make the sauce: In a bowl, combine the oyster sauce, soy sauce, fish sauce, vinegar and black soy sauce.
• Make the noodles: Remove the stems and seeds from the chiles. Using the flat side of a wide, heavy knife, smash the garlic and chiles. If you have a mortar and pestle, crush the peeled garlic and seeded chiles into a rough paste. If not, use a small food processor to mince together, or just use the knife to mince the garlic and leave the smashed chiles whole.
• Place the remaining ingredients in bowls and line them up in the order they'll be added to the pan: protein, greens (if using), noodles, sauce and basil. When ready to cook, put 1 cup of hot tap water near the stove.
• Heat the oil in a 14-inch wok, a heavy 12-inch skillet or a large Dutch oven over medium until shimmering. (If using a smaller pan, cook in 2 batches.) Add garlic mixture and stir-fry over medium heat just until sizzling and fragrant, stirring with a wok turner, spatula or tongs, 30 to 45 seconds.
• Add the protein, raise the heat to high and stir-fry for 2 minutes. If using, add gai lan. Keep cooking until protein is just cooked through and greens are wilted, 1 to 2 minutes longer.
• Add noodles, spreading them around the pan, tossing and separating them. When noodles are sizzling, add 3 tablespoons sauce and stir-fry, tossing to coat and cook through.
• Taste noodles for doneness and seasoning. If needed, add more pad kee mao sauce a little at a time until the dish is spicy and savory and not too sweet. Add hot water, 1 tablespoon at a time, if noodles are not quite soft.
• When the noodles have absorbed all the sauce and the flavors are balanced, add the basil leaves and toss to combine. Serve immediately.