Pad Thai, a classic Thai stir-fry noodle dish, bursts with sweet and savory flavors. Combining rice noodles with chicken, egg, shrimp, and tofu, all tossed in a distinctive Pad Thai sauce, this dish is a delightful choice for lunch or dinner, rivaling the taste of your favorite restaurant takeouts.
Mix boneless chicken pieces with ginger garlic paste, paprika, and salt in a bowl. Set aside for later use; this step, while not essential, was added to suit my family's taste preferences.
To Make Pad Thai Sauce
In a bowl, combine tamarind concentrate (½ tsp diluted in 2 tbsp of water) or tamarind puree, fish sauce, oyster sauce, chili sauce, and brown sugar. Once mixed, set it aside. These elements together create a delightful balance of sweet and savory flavors.
To Cook the Noodles
Boil the rice noodles in a pan over medium heat, following the package instructions.
Once cooked, drain them through a fine mesh strainer and rinse with 1 cup of cold water to stop the cooking process. Set aside for later use.
To Make Pad Thai
Heat oil in a wok over high heat and sauté garlic and onions until they soften.
Stir fry the marinated chicken for 5 to 7 minutes.
Move the chicken to one side of the wok, then add and scramble the eggs, mixing them with the chicken.
Add the rice noodles, Pad Thai sauce, bean sprouts, and tofu, tossing well to combine.
Stir in crushed peanuts, chives, and lemon juice for the final mix.
Your delicious Pad Thai is now ready to be enjoyed.
To Serve
Enjoy this sweet and savory Pad Thai served with a topping of crushed peanuts, bean sprouts, chili flakes, and chives - perfect for a delightful lunch or dinner.
Notes
Here are some tips to elevate your Pad Thai experience:
Sauce Importance: The Pad Thai sauce is key for authentic, aromatic flavor. Adhere closely to the recipe for the best result.
Fish Sauce: Despite its strong smell, fish sauce doesn't make Pad Thai taste fishy but adds essential depth of flavor. If the aroma is too intense for you, reduce or skip it, but this may slightly change the dish's authentic taste.
Protein Choices: Use chicken, egg, tofu, or shrimp/prawns. For a vegan option, replace these with tofu and vegetables.
Vegan and Vegetarian Variations: For vegans, omit fish sauce, egg, and chicken. Substitute with vegan alternatives like vegetarian oyster sauce. Vegetarians can add mushrooms, carrots, and cabbage.
Crunch and Garnish: Crushed peanuts add a delightful crunch. Serve the dish garnished with bean sprouts, additional peanuts, and chili flakes for enhanced flavor and texture.
Shrimp Option: Incorporate shrimp or dried shrimp flakes for extra taste and flavor, especially popular in traditional versions.