Best Pad Thai Recipe Epicuriouscom Recipes

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PAD THAI



Pad Thai image

The most famous Thai dish in America! Making a good Pad Thai takes time. There's a delicate dance with the noodles because they cook in three stages. First you soak them in warm water and they begin to absorb and soften. They first get pan-fried with all the ingredients. Be patient at this stage. Allow them to begin to yield and marry with the hot oil and other ingredients. Once they look soft enough to eat right out of the pan but slightly al dente, add the sauce to finish the cooking. My family was among the first to introduce this dish to America nearly 50 years ago and the American version differs slightly from the native one. The super bright orange was accentuated with paprika instead of the traditional addition of chili paste to give it a slight tint. And we typically finish this dish with garlic chives vs. green onions. I always say Pad Thai is like pancakes. You'll burn a few before you get the knack for it.

Provided by Jet Tila

Categories     main-dish

Time 1h

Yield 4 to 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 21

4 tablespoons (60 ml) Thai fish sauce
4 tablespoons (50 g) sugar
3 tablespoons (45 ml) bottled tamarind paste
1 tablespoon (15 ml) fresh lime juice
1 tablespoon (15 ml) unseasoned rice wine vinegar
1 tablespoon sweet paprika, for color (optional)
2 teaspoons chili sauce, such as Sriracha
3 to 4 cups medium-width rice sticks, soaked
Banana leaf, cut into circles, for plating (optional)
2 tablespoons (30 ml) vegetable oil, such as canola, grapeseed or peanut oil
3 to 4 cloves garlic, roughly chopped
1/2 cup (95 g) Thai-style baked tofu, sliced
1 teaspoon dried shrimp
1/2 cup (95 g) chicken, cut into thin strips, 1-inch lengths
2 large eggs
4 teaspoons packaged salted turnip, minced
8 shrimp, peeled and cleaned
1 cup (240 g) bean sprouts
1/4 cup (50 g) dry-roasted unsalted peanuts, crushed
3 to 4 garlic chives (or scallions), cut into 2-inch lengths on a bias
1 lime, cut for garnish

Steps:

  • For the Pad Thai Sauce: In a small bowl, stir together the fish sauce, sugar, tamarind paste, lime juice, vinegar, paprika and chili sauce. Set aside.
  • For the Pad Thai: Soak the noodles in enough warm water to cover for 1 hour.
  • If using, cut the banana leaf into round shapes using an overturned bowl. Place on the serving platter and hold for plating.
  • Heat a large cast-iron skillet over high heat. Add the oil and coat the skillet completely. When the skillet starts to smoke, add the garlic and cook, stirring, for 5 seconds. Add the tofu and dried shrimp and cook, stirring, until they begin to soften, 3 to 4 minutes. Add the chicken pieces and cook, stirring, until no longer pink, 1 to 2 minutes.
  • Push ingredients in the skillet to one side and let the oil settle in the center of skillet. Crack the eggs into the oil and let set until half-cooked, about 30 seconds, then lightly scramble. Combine with the remaining cooked ingredients in the skillet, scraping the bits from the bottom before they burn. Add 3 cups of the drained noodles and cook, stirring, until softened, 2 to 3 minutes. Reserve the noodle soaking water.
  • Add the salted turnip and shrimp. Cook until both the chicken and shrimp are at medium doneness, about 1 minute. Add the sauce and fold together until all the liquid is absorbed, about 2 minutes.
  • Place half of the bean sprouts, half of the crushed peanuts and the garlic chives (or scallions) in the center of noodles, and then spoon some noodles over them to cover and let steam for 30 seconds. If the skillet seems dry, add a small amount of the noodle soaking water. Transfer to a serving plate with the banana leaf circle, and garnish with the remaining bean sprouts, peanuts and lime.

22-MINUTE PAD THAI



22-Minute Pad Thai image

A quick and easy recipe for shrimp pad thai.

Provided by Mindy Fox

Categories     22-Minute Meals     Takeout at Home     Kid-Friendly     Quick & Easy     Shrimp     Noodle     Small Plates

Yield 4 Servings

Number Of Ingredients 13

8 ounces dried, flat, linguine-width rice noodles (preferably Annie Chun's or Thai Kitchen; also called pad Thai noodles or stir-fry rice noodles)
1/4 cup fish sauce (such as nam pla or nuoc nam)
1/4 cup tamarind juice concentrate, or 2 tablespoons tamarind paste mixed with 2 tablespoons water
3 tablespoons (packed) dark brown sugar
2 teaspoons chili-garlic sauce, plus more for serving
3 tablespoons vegetable oil
4 large eggs, beaten to blend
3/4 pound peeled and deveined medium shrimp
1 bunch scallions, green and white parts separated, coarsely chopped
2 cups mung bean sprouts (about 1/3 pound), plus more for serving
1/4 cup roasted, salted peanuts, coarsely chopped, plus more for serving
Coarsely chopped fresh cilantro (for serving)
Lime wedges (for serving)

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.

PAD THAI



Pad Thai image

Here is a pleasing variation on this popular Thai noodle dish. Though the dish is more than fine without it, do try to use fresh lemongrass if possible, as it adds a subtle flavor and scent. Many supermarkets now carry this once-exotic item. But don't worry if you can't find it; I've made the recipe with and without, and it's good either way.

Yield 4 to 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 15

1 cup light coconut milk
1/4 cup ketchup
2 tablespoons natural granulated sugar
2 tablespoons lime juice, or to taste
3 tablespoons reduced-sodium soy sauce
12 ounces Asian noodles (see Note)
1 1/2 tablespoons peanut or olive oil
2 to 3 garlic cloves, minced
2 cups small broccoli florets
1 stalk lemongrass, cut into thirds and bruised, optional
4 to 6 scallions, thinly sliced
1 cup fresh mung bean sprouts, optional
Dried red pepper flakes
1/4 to 1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro
1/4 to 1/2 cup chopped roasted peanuts

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



Vegetarian Pad Thai image

This vegetarian pad Thai recipe gets its tangy-sweet flavor and flush of heat from a sauce of tamarind pulp, soy sauce, brown sugar, and Sriracha.

Provided by Lillian Chou

Yield 4 to 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 16

12 ounces dried flat rice noodles (¼ inch wide; sometimes called pad Thai or banh pho)
3 tablespoons tamarind (from a pliable block)
1 cup boiling-hot water
½ cup light soy sauce
¼ cup packed light brown sugar
2 tablespoons Sriracha
1 bunch scallions
4 large shallots
1 (14- to 16-ounce) package firm tofu
1½ cups peanut or vegetable oil
6 large eggs
4 garlic cloves, finely chopped
2 cups bean sprouts (¼ pound)
½ cup roasted peanuts, coarsely chopped
Lime wedges, cilantro sprigs, Sriracha (for serving)
Equipment: an adjustable-blade slicer; a well-seasoned 14-inch flat-bottomed wok

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.

EASY PAD THAI



Easy Pad Thai image

Skip the take-out restaurant and give this pad thai recipe a try if you need an easy and quick meal. -Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Dinner

Time 30m

Yield 4 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 16

4 ounces uncooked thick rice noodles
1/2 pound pork tenderloin, cut into thin strips
2 teaspoons canola oil
2 shallots, thinly sliced
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 large egg, lightly beaten
3 cups coleslaw mix
4 green onions, thinly sliced
1/3 cup rice vinegar
1/4 cup sugar
3 tablespoons reduced-sodium soy sauce
2 tablespoons fish sauce or additional reduced-sodium soy sauce
1 tablespoon chili garlic sauce
1 tablespoon lime juice
2 tablespoons chopped salted peanuts
Chopped fresh cilantro leaves, lime wedges and fresh bean sprouts

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.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 361 calories, Fat 8g fat (2g saturated fat), Cholesterol 78mg cholesterol, Sodium 1669mg sodium, Carbohydrate 53g carbohydrate (23g sugars, Fiber 2g fiber), Protein 19g protein.

EASY PAD THAI



Easy Pad Thai image

Provided by Beth Moncel

Categories     Dinner     Lunch     Pescatarian     Dairy Free     Tree Nut Free

Yield Serves 4

Number Of Ingredients 12

8 ounces pad thai or lo mein noodles
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 clove garlic, minced
2 large eggs
1 1/2 tablespoons soy sauce
2 tablespoons fresh lime juice (from about 1 medium lime)
2 tablespoons brown sugar
1 teaspoon fish sauce
1/8 teaspoon red pepper flakes
3 green onions, sliced
1/4 bunch fresh cilantro, leaves only, roughly chopped
1/4 cup chopped, unsalted peanuts

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.

JASMIN'S PAD THAI



Jasmin's Pad Thai image

Provided by Suzanne Pirret

Categories     Wok     Fish     Kid-Friendly     Quick & Easy     Dinner     Cashew     Tamarind     Noodle     Green Onion/Scallion     Small Plates

Yield Makes 1 serving

Number Of Ingredients 16

2 tablespoons red onions, finely chopped
A dash of peanut or olive oil
Shrimp (deveined), or calamari (cleaned and sliced) or chicken or pork (thinly sliced)
An egg
A small handful of thai rice noodles
1/2 a cup (max) of chicken stock or water
4 to 5 glugs of fish sauce
A heaping tablespoon tamarind sauce*
1/2 tablespoon palm sugar or unrefined caster sugar
A pinch or 2 of crushed red chile flakes
A handful of bean sprouts
3 or 4 scallions, cut into 3-inch sticks
2 to 3 tablespoons raw cashews, coarsely chopped
For garnish:
Fresh lime wedges and cucumber slices
*Tamarind sauce-of course you can buy this already prepared, but it's an entirely different sauce when it's fresh: place a small handful (about 2 to 3 tablespoons) of dried, vacu-packed tamarind nuggets in a bowl and cover with very hot water for about 5 to 10 minutes to soften. Use your hands to squish the nuggets until the water becomes really thick and gloopy. You'll notice your hands getting really soft, so spread a good amount of it all over your arms and face. Great for the skin. Anyway, using a rubber spatula, rub the sauce through a strainer, leaving the pits behind. Store the sauce in an airtight mason jar (keeps about a week). Rinse off your arms and face.

Steps:

  • Get your mise completely ready to go, because this dish only takes about 5 minutes to cook.
  • In a wok (of course you can use a frying pan, but it's just not the same; even those cheap stainless steel ones work better than a pan), fry the red onion in a little peanut or olive oil. Add the shrimp (or calamari, chicken, or pork). Cook for a minute. They'll continue so don't worry too much if they're still slightly opaque, and move them over to the side. Make a well in the center. Crack the egg in there and scramble with a fork till cooked. Push over to the side along with the shrimp.
  • Break the noodles in half (unless your wok is the huge industrial size), and add to the center with about 1/4 cup of the stock, the fi sh sauce, tamarind sauce, palm sugar (dissolve it in a little hot water if too thick), and red chile flakes. Mix well into the noodles, leaving the shrimp and scrambled egg off to the side.
  • Cook the noodles in the sauce for a few minutes, stirring lightly to ensure that they don't clump together. The noodles should be just softened-you want them nice and chewy. Taste and adjust the seasoning-and add more stock if necessary.
  • Now add the bean sprouts and the scallions, stir everything together, and heat it through. Immediately turn onto large plate and top with the chopped cashews. Garnish with lime and cucumber slices.
  • You now just need a pair of chopsticks and an ice cold Singha.

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