My Classic Pad Thai
This is arguably the most popular Thai dish in the world. Because this dish has been in America for 50 years, there are dozens of versions. To me, the common thread is tamarind, sugar and fish sauce. Everyone gets to the red color a little differently. I like using paprika for great color without heat. But if you want a little chili punch, back up the paprika with 1 to 2 tablespoons (15 to 30 ml) of Thai sriracha. Rice stick noodles also vary in quality. Look for Chantaboon dry rice sticks from Thailand; they are the best.
Ingrediënten
- Noodles
- 3 –4 cups 360–480 g soaked medium rice stick noodles, or fresh
- Pad Thai Sauce
- 4 tbsp 60 ml fish sauce
- 3 tbsp 45 ml tamarind concentrate
- 1 tbsp 15 ml fresh lime juice
- 1 tbsp 15 ml unseasoned rice vinegar
- 4 tbsp 60 g white sugar
Pad Thai
- 2 tbsp 30 ml canola or other high-temperature cooking oil
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 2 tbsp 15 g packaged shredded sweetened radish
- 1 tsp dried shrimp
- ½ cup 125 g savory baked tofu, cut into slices
- 2 eggs
- ½ cup 70 g thin strips of chicken breast or thigh
- 10 large–medium shrimp peeled and deveined
- 1 tbsp 7 g paprika, for color
- 3 scallions cut into 3-inch (8-cm) julienne
- ¼ cup 30 g chopped dry-roasted unsalted peanuts, divided
- 1 cup 125 g bean sprouts, for garnish
Instructies
- If you’re using dry noodles, soak them in a large bowl of warm water for about an hour.
- The water should be about 90°F (32°C).
- The noodles will start to absorb water and loosen up.
- Drain them well, reserving some of the soaking water to adjust the texture later if needed, and set aside.
- If you’re using fresh noodles, you can just open the package and add them to the pan at the appropriate time.
- To make the sauce, combine the fish sauce, tamarind concentrate, lime juice, vinegar and sugar in a small bowl.
- Make sure to stir well until the sugar dissolves.
- Set aside.
- Heat a wok or large skillet over high heat for about 1 minute, until hot.
- Add the oil and swirl it to coat the pan completely.
- When you see wisps of white smoke, add the garlic and stir-fry for about 5 seconds.
- Add the radish, dried shrimp and tofu and stir-fry until they begin to get fragrant, about 1 minute.
- Push the ingredients in the wok to one side and let the oil settle in the center of the pan.
- Crack the eggs into the pan and add the chicken.
- As the eggs start to fry, just pierce the yolks to let them ooze.
- Fold the chicken and eggs over, scrape any bits that are starting to stick and cook for about 30 seconds or until the eggs begin to set.
- Now stir everything together to combine it all in the wok.
- Add the fresh shrimp and cook for about 30 seconds, until they just start to turn color and become opaque.
- Add the soaked (and drained) rice noodles and cook for 2 to 3 minutes, until the noodles become soft.
- Add the reserved sauce mixture and the paprika and fold together until the paprika evenly colors the noodles and all the liquid is absorbed, about 2 minutes.
- Place the scallions in the center of the noodles, and then spoon some of the noodles over the scallions to cover and let steam for 30 seconds.
- Stir in 3 tablespoons (24 g) of the peanuts.
- Transfer to a serving plate and garnish with the bean sprouts and remaining peanuts.
