Pad Thai Recipe Epicuriouscom

SHRIMP PAD THAI FOR FOUR

Steps:

• Make the seasoning sauce:
• In a medium bowl, combine the water, tamarind paste, palm or dark brown sugar, fish sauce, and salt and stir until the sugar is dissolved.
• Assemble the ingredients for serving:
• Place the bean sprouts, limes, and peanuts each in their own small bowl and arrange near the stove. Place the fish sauce, granulated sugar, and crushed red pepper each in their own small bowl and arrange on the dining table.
• Soften the rice noodles:
• Bring a 5-quart saucepan of water to a full, rolling boil. Remove it from the heat and immediately add the rice noodles, making sure they are fully submerged in the water. Let the noodles soak for exactly 3 minutes (use a timer), occasionally lifting them up and pulling them apart as necessary with tongs or a long fork to keep the noodles separate and help them soften evenly. Drain the noodles in a large colander and rinse them under cold running water. (If the noodles become sticky and clumped together while standing, rinse them briefly under cold water just before cooking, so that they return to their slippery, firm, toss-able state.)
• Stir-fry the pad thai:
• In a small bowl combine the garlic and shallots. Place the shrimp, beaten eggs, bean sprouts, scallion greens, and peanuts each in their own bowl and arrange near the stove. Have ready 1 clean medium bowl for the cooked shrimp and eggs, and arrange a platter for serving near the stove.
• Heat a large wok over high heat until hot but not smoking. Add 2 tablespoons of the vegetable oil and swirl to coat the pan. (If at any point during cooking the oil starts smoking, lower the heat.) When the oil is hot, scatter in the shrimp. Cook undisturbed until the shrimp begin to change color and firm up, about 30 seconds. Toss well then continue to cook, stirring frequently, until the shrimp are pink, firm and just cooked through, about 30 seconds longer. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the shrimp to the clean bowl.
• Add the eggs and swirl the pan to spread them into a thin layer. Cook the eggs, lifting the sides and tilting the pan to allow the uncooked eggs to pour underneath as you do when making an omelet, until the eggs are mostly set, 1 to 1 1/2 minutes. Remove the pan from the heat and use the slotted spoon to quickly cut the eggs into bite-size pieces then add them to the bowl of shrimp.
• Place the wok over high heat and add the remaining 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil, and swirl to coat the pan. Add the garlic and shallots and stir-fry until fragrant, about 5 seconds. Scatter in the softened rice noodles, and using tongs, evenly spread the noodles out across the pan, like a net. Let them cook undisturbed for 15 seconds then scoop them in toward the center. Toss the noodles gently then spread them out again. Pour about 1/3 of the seasoning sauce around the edges of the pan, and continue stir-frying the noodles in the same manner, spreading them out and letting them cook undisturbed occasionally, until most of the sauce is absorbed, about 30 seconds more.
• Add another third of the sauce and continue to stir-fry in the same manner until most of the sauce is absorbed and the noodles are just tender but not mushy, about 30 seconds. Test a noodle or two: If they are too firm, add 2 to 4 tablespoons of water around the edge of the pan, and continue stir-frying until they are just tender and evenly coated with the sauce.
• Return the shrimp and eggs to the pan, along with any juices collected in the bottom of the bowl, and toss to incorporate them into the noodles. Add the remaining third of the seasoning sauce, along with the bean sprouts, scallion greens, and chopped peanuts, and cook, tossing, until they are mixed in and barely heated, about 30 seconds.
• To serve:
• Quickly transfer the noodles onto the platter, mounding them at one end. Mound the reserved bean sprouts next to the noodles, and arrange the reserved lime wedges next to the bean sprouts. Sprinkle the peanuts on the noodles in a stripe next to the bean sprouts. Serve hot with the small bowls of fish sauce, sugar, and crushed red pepper so that guests can flavor their portions to taste.

22-MINUTE PAD THAI

Steps:

• Place noodles in a medium heatproof bowl. Add boiling water to cover and let stand, stirring frequently, until soft and pliable but not tender, 5-10 minutes (depending on brand). Drain; set aside.
• Meanwhile, whisk fish sauce, tamarind concentrate, sugar, 2 tsp. chili-garlic sauce, and 1/4 cup hot water in another medium bowl.
• Heat oil in a wok or large skillet (at least 12" in diameter) over medium-high. Add eggs and shrimp and cook, stirring constantly, until shrimp begin to turn pink, about 1 minute. Add scallion whites, fish sauce mixture, and reserved noodles. Cook, stirring frequently, until sauce is mostly absorbed and noodles are well coated, about 3 minutes. Add scallion greens, 2 cups bean sprouts, and 1/4 cup peanuts and cook until heated through, about 1 minute more.
• Divide noodle mixture among plates. Top with cilantro, bean sprouts, and peanuts and serve with lime wedges and chili-garlic sauce.

EASY PAD THAI

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of water to a rolling boil. Add the noodles and cook for 7 to 10 minutes or until tender. Drain the noodles and set aside.
• In a large skillet, heat the vegetable oil over medium heat. Add the garlic and cook for 1 to 2 minutes, or until tender.
• Whisk the eggs lightly with a fork. Pour them into the skillet and cook just until they solidify, but are still moist, moving the eggs around the skillet slightly as they cook so that they lightly scramble. When the eggs are cooked, remove the skillet from the heat and set aside.
• In a small bowl, stir together the soy sauce, lime juice, sugar, fish sauce, and red pepper flakes. Pour the sauce into the skillet with the scrambled eggs. Add the noodles and toss to coat in the sauce.
• Sprinkle the green onions, cilantro, and peanuts over the noodles. Toss lightly to combine. Serve warm.
• Budget Byte:
• Pad thai noodles have a unique flavor and texture, but if you can't find them in your area, try substituting another flat pasta like linguine.

PAD THAI

Steps:

• Place noodles in a large bowl; pour hot water over to cover. Let soak until tender but not mushy, 5-10 minutes. Drain; set aside.
• Heat vegetable oil in a wok or large skillet over medium-high heat. Add egg; stir until barely set, about 30 seconds. Add shrimp, if using. Cook, stirring, until shrimp and egg are almost cooked through, 2-3 minutes. Add tofu and radish; cook for 30 seconds. Add noodles and cook for 1 minute. Stir in sprouts. Add tamarind water, fish sauce, and simple syrup and stir-fry until sauce is absorbed by noodles and noodles are well coated, about 1 minute. Stir in chopped garlic chives. Add 1/4 teaspoon ground chiles and 1 tablespoon peanuts and toss well. Transfer to serving plates.
• Garnish with remaining 1/4 teaspoon ground chiles, 1 tablespoon peanuts, and lime wedges.

PAD THAI

Steps:

• Combine the ingredients for the sauce in a small bowl and set aside until needed.
• Cook the noodles in plenty of rapidly simmering water until al dente, then drain.
• While the noodles are cooking, heat the oil in a wok or stir-fry pan. Add the garlic and sauté over low heat for a minute or so, then add the broccoli lemongrass, if using, and white parts of the scallions. Add a small amount of water, raise the heat to medium, and cover. Steam for 3 to 4 minutes, or until the broccoli is tender-crisp.
• Add the noodles, sauce, and green parts of the scallions; stir gently but thoroughly. Add just enough red pepper flakes to give the dish the kind of kick you like. Stir in cilantro and peanuts to taste and serve at once.
• There is no better pairing for this than Thai Tossed Salad (page 184). Since making Pad Thai is very hands-on, prepare the salad before starting the noodle dish. Otherwise, prepare a platter of raw vegetables if you don't have time to make a companion dish. If you'd like to add extra protein to the meal, serve with sliced Thai-style baked tofu.
• Calories: 517
• Total Fat: 16.5g
• Protein: 17.5g
• Carbohydrates: 80g
• Fiber: 7g
• Sodium: 725mg

VEGETARIAN PAD THAI

Steps:

• Soak noodles in a large bowl of warm water until softened, 25 to 30 minutes. Drain well in a colander and cover with a dampened paper towel.
• Meanwhile, make sauce by soaking tamarind pulp in boiling-hot water in a small bowl, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 5 minutes. Force mixture through a sieve into a bowl, discarding seeds and fibers. Add soy sauce, brown sugar, and Sriracha, stirring until sugar has dissolved.
• Cut scallions into 2-inch pieces. Halve pale green and white parts lengthwise.
• Cut shallots crosswise into very thin slices with slicer.
• Rinse tofu, then cut into 1-inch cubes and pat very dry.
• Heat oil in wok over medium heat until hot, then fry half of shallots over medium-low heat, stirring frequently, until golden-brown, 8 to 12 minutes. Carefully strain mixture through a fine-mesh sieve into a heatproof bowl. Reserve shallot oil and spread fried shallots on paper towels. (Shallots will crisp as they cool.) Wipe wok clean.
• Reheat shallot oil in wok over high heat until hot. Fry tofu in 1 layer, gently turning occasionally, until golden, 5 to 8 minutes. Transfer tofu to paper towels using a slotted spoon. Pour off frying oil and reserve.
• Lightly beat eggs with ¼ teaspoon salt. Heat 2 tablespoons shallot oil in wok over high heat until it shimmers. Add eggs and swirl to coat side of wok, then cook, stirring gently with a spatula, until cooked through. Break into chunks with spatula and transfer to a plate.
• Heat wok over high heat until a drop of water evaporates instantly. Pour in 6 tablespoons shallot oil, then swirl to coat side of wok. Stir-fry scallions, garlic, and remaining uncooked shallots until softened, about 1 minute.
• Add noodles and stir-fry over medium heat (use 2 spatulas if necessary) 3 minutes. Add tofu, bean sprouts, and 1½ cups sauce and simmer, turning noodles over to absorb sauce evenly, until noodles are tender, about 2 minutes.
• Stir in additional sauce if desired, then stir in eggs and transfer to a large shallow serving dish.
• Sprinkle pad Thai with peanuts and fried shallots and serve with lime wedges, cilantro sprigs, and Sriracha.

PAD THAI

Steps:

• Soak rice noodles in cold water 30 to 50 minutes, or until soft. Drain, and set aside.
• Heat butter in a wok or large heavy skillet. Saute chicken until browned. Remove, and set aside. Heat oil in wok over medium-high heat. Crack eggs into hot oil, and cook until firm. Stir in chicken, and cook for 5 minutes. Add softened noodles, and vinegar, fish sauce, sugar and red pepper. Adjust seasonings to taste. Mix while cooking, until noodles are tender. Add bean sprouts, and mix for 3 minutes.

EASY PAD THAI

Steps:

• Cook noodles according to package directions., In a large nonstick skillet or wok, stir-fry pork in oil over high heat until lightly browned; remove and set aside. Add shallot to pan and cook until tender, about 1 minute; add garlic and cook 30 seconds. Make a well in the center of the onion mixture; add egg. Stir-fry for 1-2 minutes or until egg is completely set. , Add the coleslaw mix, green onions, vinegar, sugar, soy sauce, fish sauce, chili garlic sauce, lime juice and peanuts; heat through. Return pork to pan and heat through. Drain noodles; toss with pork mixture. Garnish with cilantro, additional peanuts, lime wedges and bean sprouts.