Home-Made Authentic Pad Thai

Authentic Pad Thai is a beloved Thai dish known for its perfect balance of sweet, sour, salty, and spicy flavors. Here's a traditional recipe to help you create this delicious dish at home.

Ingredients:

For the Pad Thai sauce:

• 3 tablespoons tamarind paste
• 2 tablespoons fish sauce
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon palm sugar or brown sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon chili powder (adjust to taste)

For the Pad Thai:

• 8 ounces (225g) rice noodles
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 1/2 cup diced firm tofu
• 1/2 cup small shrimp, peeled and deveined (optional)
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 eggs, lightly beaten
• 1 cup bean sprouts
• 2 green onions, sliced
• 2 tablespoons crushed roasted peanuts
• Lime wedges for serving
• Fresh cilantro for garnish

Instructions:

Prepare the Pad Thai sauce

• In a small bowl, mix together the tamarind paste, fish sauce, soy sauce, palm sugar, and chili powder. Adjust the flavors to your preference, balancing the sweet, sour, salty, and spicy elements. Set the sauce aside.

Cook the rice noodles

• Soak the rice noodles in warm water for about 20-30 minutes until they become pliable but not overly soft. Drain and set aside.
• Bring a pot of water to a boil. Add the soaked rice noodles and cook for 2-3 minutes until they are just tender. Drain and rinse with cold water to stop the cooking process. Set the noodles aside.

Prepare the Pad Thai

1. Heat a wok or large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil.
2. Add the diced tofu and cook until it's lightly browned and slightly crispy. Remove the tofu from the wok and set it aside.
3. If using shrimp, add them to the wok and cook until they turn pink and are cooked through. Remove the shrimp from the wok and set them aside.
4. In the same wok, add the remaining tablespoon of vegetable oil. Add the minced garlic and sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant.
5. Push the garlic to the side of the wok and pour the lightly beaten eggs into the empty space. Scramble the eggs until they are mostly cooked, then mix them with the garlic.
6. Add the cooked rice noodles to the wok and pour the Pad Thai sauce over the noodles.
7. Use spatulas to toss the noodles and ensure they are well coated with the sauce. Be gentle to avoid breaking the noodles.
8. Add the cooked tofu, shrimp, and half of the bean sprouts to the wok. Continue tossing until everything is heated through.
9. Serve the Pad Thai in individual plates. Garnish with the remaining bean sprouts, sliced green onions, crushed peanuts, fresh cilantro, and lime wedges.
10. Squeeze lime juice over each serving just before eating to enhance the flavors.

Enjoy your homemade Authentic Pad Thai, a true representation of the vibrant flavors of Thailand. Feel free to adjust the ingredients to your taste and add more chili powder or other seasonings if you prefer your Pad Thai spicier.

Best Tamarind Paste

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