I have experimented a long time trying to recreate our favorite Thai restaurant’s pad thai at home. This version checked all the boxes!
At an Asian market I picked up some “red pepper powder” similar to these found online. They were the flavor I was missing in previous batches. They are more like flakes then powder and are moderately hot with more flavor than heat. If you don’t have them you could also use crushed red pepper flakes or chili sauce to add to desired heat level.
I’ve made the sauce with tamarind paste before but I was all out this time and to my surprise this version was just as good!
Pad Thai
July 8, 2020
Persons
4
Prep Time
20 minutes
Cook Time
20 minutes
Total Time
40 minutes
Ingredients
- 8 ounces pad thai rice noodles
- 2 Tablespoons oil, divided
- 6 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 pound meat (I use chicken or shrimp)*
- 2 eggs, whisked
- 2 green onions, thinly sliced
- 1 cup bean sprouts
- 1/4 cup finely chopped peanuts
For Sauce:
- 3 Tablespoons brown sugar
- 2 Tablespoons fish sauce
- 2 Tablespoons rice vinegar
- 1 Tablespoon lime juice
- 1/4 teaspoon paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper powder (more if desired)
Instructions
- Start by preparing the rice noodles. Cover with very hot water and stir to separate. Leave for 15-20 minutes until just a little firmer than desired. Rinse well with cold water and toss with 1 Tablespoon of the oil and set aside. (Or follow the directions on your package but don’t cook all the way since the noodles will cook a little more with the other ingredients.)
- While the noodles soften prepare all the other ingredients and whisk together sauce ingredients in a small bowl and set aside.
- In a large skillet or wok over medium high heat add the oil.
- When hot cook the meat in batches so as not overcrowd the pan.
- Add garlic and saute until fragrant.
- Push the meat to one side of the pan and add the eggs.
- Scramble until cooked then mix in with the meat.
- Add the reserved noodles and sauce. Cook until well combined and noodles are cooked to desired texture.
- Top with bean sprouts, green onions, and peanuts.
*For chicken or beef, cut chicken breasts or steak in very thin slices and season with salt and pepper. For shrimp, devein and remove tails.
