Authentic Pad Thai – Quick and Easy
Pad Thai is a flavorful, stir-fried noodle dish that brings the taste of Thailand right to your kitchen. It's made with chewy rice noodles, tangy tamarind sauce, crunchy peanuts, and a mix of vegetables and proteins like shrimp, chicken, or tofu. The combination of sweet, sour, and salty flavors creates a dish that's both light and satisfying, perfect for any meal of the day. This recipe is easy to follow, and you'll have a delicious homemade Pad Thai in no time!
Ingredients
- 8 oz (225g) rice noodles
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 shallot, finely chopped
- 1 egg, lightly beaten
- 1 cup cooked shrimp, chicken, or tofu (optional)
- 1 cup bean sprouts
- 2 green onions, sliced
- ¼ cup roasted peanuts, chopped
- ¼ cup fresh cilantro, chopped
- Lime wedges, for serving
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For the sauce
- 2 tablespoons tamarind paste
- 3 tablespoons fish sauce (or soy sauce for vegetarian)
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon lime juice
- 1 teaspoon chili flakes (optional)
Directions
Prepare the noodles. Soak the rice noodles in warm water for about 10 minutes or until softened. Drain and set aside.
Make the sauce. In a small bowl, whisk together tamarind paste, fish sauce, brown sugar, lime juice, and chili flakes. Adjust seasoning to taste.
Cook the garlic and shallot. Heat 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and chopped shallot, cooking for 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
Scramble the egg. Push the garlic and shallot to the side of the pan and add the beaten egg. Stir and scramble until fully cooked.
Stir-fry the noodles. Add the softened noodles to the pan, then pour in the sauce. Toss everything together, making sure the noodles are evenly coated.
Add the protein and vegetables. Stir in the shrimp, chicken, or tofu, along with the bean sprouts and green onions. Cook for another 3-4 minutes until everything is heated through.
Serve. Transfer the Pad Thai to serving plates. Top with chopped peanuts, fresh cilantro, and lime wedges. Serve hot and enjoy!
Recipe tips
For extra flavor, add a tablespoon of peanut butter to the sauce for a creamier texture. Customize the protein: use shrimp, chicken, tofu, or even a combination. Soak the noodles just until they’re pliable; over-soaking will make them mushy. Sauté the garlic and shallot gently to avoid burning, which can make the dish bitter.
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
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