Description
A classic Thai stir-fried noodle dish featuring rice noodles tossed with shrimp, tofu, eggs, and a flavorful tamarind-soy sauce, garnished with crunchy peanuts, fresh bean sprouts, green onions, and cilantro.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- Rice noodles (quantity as per package instructions)
- 1/4 cup vegetable oil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 red chili, finely chopped
- 1/2 cup tofu, cubed
- 1/2 cup shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 2 eggs
Sauce
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 3 tablespoons tamarind paste
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
Garnishes
- 1 cup bean sprouts
- 1/4 cup peanuts, chopped
- 2 green onions, sliced
- 1/4 cup cilantro, chopped
Instructions
- Soak Noodles: Soak the rice noodles in hot water according to package instructions until they are soft. Drain and set aside.
- Heat Oil: In a large pan or wok, heat the vegetable oil over medium heat.
- Sauté Aromatics: Add the minced garlic and chopped red chili, and stir fry for about 1 minute until fragrant.
- Cook Protein: Add the cubed tofu and peeled shrimp to the pan, and cook until the shrimp turns pink and opaque.
- Scramble Eggs: Push the ingredients to one side of the pan and crack the eggs into the empty side. Scramble the eggs until cooked through.
- Combine Ingredients: Mix the eggs with the rest of the ingredients in the pan.
- Add Noodles: Add the soaked rice noodles to the pan.
- Prepare Sauce: In a small bowl, mix together the soy sauce, tamarind paste, and brown sugar.
- Add Sauce: Pour the sauce over the noodles and toss everything together until well combined.
- Add Garnishes: Add the bean sprouts, chopped peanuts, sliced green onions, and chopped cilantro to the pan.
- Final Stir Fry: Continue to stir fry for another 2-3 minutes until everything is heated through.
- Adjust Seasoning: Taste and adjust the seasoning if needed by adding more soy sauce, tamarind paste, or sugar.
- Serve: Serve the Pad Thai hot, garnished with extra peanuts, green onions, and cilantro if desired.
- Enjoy: Enjoy your delicious homemade Pad Thai!
Notes
- Soaking the rice noodles properly is essential for the right texture; avoid over-soaking to prevent mushiness.
- Adjust the level of chili according to your heat preference.
- For a vegetarian version, omit shrimp and add extra tofu or vegetables.
- Tamarind paste provides the signature tangy flavor, but you can substitute with lime juice in a pinch, though flavor will vary.
- Use fresh peanuts for the best crunch and flavor in the garnish.
