Pad Thai is a vibrant and flavorful dish that brings the taste of Thailand right into your kitchen. With tender rice noodles, juicy shrimp, and a perfect balance of sweet, sour, and spicy flavors, it's a dish that feels like a special treat any night of the week.
Rice noodles form the foundation of Pad Thai, offering a chewy texture that soaks up the sauce beautifully. Vegetable oil is used to sauté ingredients, maintaining a neutral flavor that doesn't overpower the dish. Garlic provides a savory, aromatic base. A large egg adds richness and protein, while shrimp brings a juicy, succulent element. Bean sprouts add freshness and crunch, and green onions lend a mild onion flavor. Crushed peanuts give a delightful crunch and nuttiness. The sauce, made from fish sauce, soy sauce, tamarind paste, and brown sugar, is the heart of the dish, balancing savory, sweet, and tangy notes. Lime juice adds brightness, while red chili offers a kick of heat. Finally, fresh cilantro provides an herbaceous finish.
Pad Thai is perfect on its own as a complete meal, but you can serve it alongside a simple cucumber salad for extra freshness. It also pairs well with a light Thai-style soup, like Tom Yum, to complement the flavors.
First, you'll want to soak your rice noodles in warm water for about 20 minutes until they're soft. Once they're ready, drain them and set them aside. This step lets the noodles become pliable and ready to absorb all the delicious flavors you'll add later.
Next, heat the vegetable oil in a wok or large pan over medium-high heat. Toss in the minced garlic and let it sauté until fragrant, which should take about a minute. You'll know it's ready when the kitchen fills with that inviting aroma of cooked garlic.
Crack the egg directly into the pan and scramble it. Cook until it's just set. This should only take a minute or two, so keep an eye on it to prevent overcooking.
Now, add the shrimp to the pan. Cook them until they turn pink and are cooked through, which should take about 3-4 minutes depending on their size. Push everything to one side of the pan to make space for the noodles.
Add the drained noodles to the pan. In a small bowl, whisk together the fish sauce, soy sauce, tamarind paste, and brown sugar. Pour this delightful concoction over the noodles and give everything a good toss to ensure the noodles are well coated.
Add the bean sprouts and green onions to the pan. Stir them into the noodles and shrimp, cooking for an additional 3-4 minutes. You want everything well combined and heated through.
Once done, remove the pan from the heat. Serve the Pad Thai immediately, garnished with crushed peanuts, a squeeze of lime juice, sliced chili, and fresh cilantro. Enjoy this delightful dish with all its vibrant flavors and textures!
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