Introduction
Pad Thai is a world-famous Thai dish enjoyed by millions of people globally. From street vendors to upscale restaurants, this delicious stir-fry dish is undeniably popular. It is known for its contrasting sweet and sour flavors and is considered a culinary treasure of Thailand. In this article, we will explore five different types of Pad Thai recipes that vary from traditional to modified versions. By the end, you will have all the skills to make the perfect Pad Thai from scratch or experiment with some thrilling new flavor options.
Comprehensive Guide to Making Pad Thai from Scratch: A Step-by-Step Recipe for Beginners
If you’re new to making Pad Thai, or would like a traditional recipe, this is a great place to start.
The Ingredients:
– Dried Rice Noodles (225g)
– Scallions, Chopped (4-5)
– Garlic, Minced (3-4 cloves)
– Bean Sprouts (150g)
– Tamarind Paste (4 tbsp)
– Lime Juice (2 tbsp)
– Fish Sauce (3 tbsp)
– Sugar (3 tbsp)
– Vegetable Oil (3-4 tbsp)
– Large Eggs (2)
– Unsalted Peanuts, Finely Chopped (1/2 cup)
– Chicken Breast, Cut into Thin Strips (2)
– Shrimps, Peeled and Deveined (1/2 lb)
The Recipe:
1. First, cook the rice noodles according to the package instructions. Rinse and drain with cold water to stop them from cooking
further.
2. Prepare the Pad Thai sauce by mixing tamarind paste, lime juice, fish sauce, and sugar in a bowl. Set this aside.
3. Heat a wok or skillet over high heat, add vegetable oil and swirl it around. Add minced garlic and sauté for around 20 seconds,
then add chicken. Stir until browned and almost cooked.
4. Add shrimps and continue to stir for one more minute until they turn pink.
5. Push the chicken and shrimps to one side of the wok, whisk two eggs on the other side, and scramble them until cooked
thoroughly.
6. Add the cooked noodles, Pad Thai sauce and stir-fry for 1 to 2 minutes until combined
7. Add bean sprouts and scallions to the wok, further stir-fry for another minute or so and remove from heat.
8. Sprinkle chopped peanuts on top, squeeze some lime juice and enjoy!
Tips:
– Soak the rice noodles in cold water for two hours before cooking to prevent them from sticking together.
– Use a non-stick skilled to avoid sticking of chicken to the pan
– Manage the heat appropriately to ensure the chicken is cooked well, but not overdone.
Secrets to the Best Homemade Pad Thai: Tips and Techniques from a Master Chef
To create the perfect pad Thai, it is essential to follow the recipe accurately. But even following the recipe, the dish can still lack the element of wow! That’s why we’ve got tips and techniques from a master chef to help you level up your Pad Thai game.
The Techniques:
– Cook chicken, tofu, or beef pieces until golden brown before adding other ingredients for the texture.
– Use fresh vegetables like bean sprouts, carrots, and onions to enhance the dish’s taste and texture.
– Being mindful of when to add the sauce is crucial. Too much sauce too early will result in soggy noodles.
– When stir-frying, make sure it is done quickly and with high heat to prevent the ingredients from getting mushy.
The Flavors:
– Balance the flavors of sweet, sour, salty and spicy, which you can adjust according to your preference.
– Use chili flakes or chili oil to add spice to your Pad Thai. If using chili flakes, add them during stir-fry step and the chili oil right after removing it from the heat.
Easy Pad Thai Recipe for Busy Weeknights: Simplified Version of a Classic Dish
This is a simplified version of traditional Pad Thai, perfect to whip up as a quick dinner for a busy weekday night.
The Ingredients:
– Rice Noodles (8 oz)
– Eggs (2)
– Scallions, Chopped (4-5)
– Garlic, Minced (3 cloves)
– Vegetable Oil (4 tbsp)
– Unsalted Peanuts, Finely Chopped (1/2 cup)
– Dried Shrimps or Tofu Cubes (1/2 cup)
– Salt (2-3 pinches)
The Recipe:
1. Cook the noodles according to the package instructions.
2. While the noodles are boiling, whisk the eggs together with a pinch of salt in a bowl.
3. Heat a pan or wok over medium heat, add one tablespoon oil and scramble the eggs until fully cooked.
4. Remove the eggs from the wok and set them aside.
5. Add the other 3 tbsp oil to the same wok and sauté garlic, dried shrimps or tofu cubes for about a minute.
6. Add cooked noodles to the wok and toss it together with the garlic.
7. Pour over the whisked eggs and stir-fry until everything is nice and hot.
8. Add scallions to the pan, and mix thoroughly. Serve hot.
Tips:
– Try using pre-prepared stir-fry veggies to add flavor and save time on preparation.
– You can remove the peanuts and add lime for some zing; it is still delicious.
– For vegetarian or gluten-free options, use tofu instead of meat and gluten-free noodles.
Customizable Pad Thai Recipe: How to Adjust Ingredients to Your Liking
Do you like to add or remove ingredients according to your taste? Opt for this customizable Pad Thai recipe that gives you the freedom to experiment to your heart’s content!
The Ingredients:
– Rice Noodles (8 oz)
– Bean Sprouts (1/2 cup)
– Scallions, Chopped (4-5)
– Garlic, Minced (3 cloves)
– Cabbage, grated (1 cup)
– Eggs, beaten (2-3)
– Chicken or Beef Strips (1 cup)
– Tamarind Paste (1/2 cup)
– Soy Sauce (1-2 tbsp)
– Sugar (1-2 tsp)
– Salt (2-3 pinches)
– Lime Wedges(3)
– Olive oil (2 tbsp)
The Recipe:
1. Cook the rice noodles according to the package instructions.
2. In a mixing bowl, whisk tamarind paste, soy sauce, and sugar to create the Pad Thai sauce.
3. Heat olive oil in a wok or pan over medium-high heat and add chicken/ beef to it.
4. Once the meat is cooked, add garlic, scallions, and cabbage in it and continue cooking for a few minutes.
5. Push the meat to one side of the wok and pour beaten eggs to the other side.
6. Once scrambled, mix everything thoroughly and add noodles and Pad Thai sauce.
7. Toss everything together in the wok for a few minutes for the ingredients to cook in the sauce.
8. Once the noodles have absorbed the sauce, remove from heat and serve hot by topping it with some bean sprouts, lime wedges, or cilantro for added flavor.
Tips:
– You can add additional ingredients like carrots, bell peppers, or even tofu.
– If you like the dish to be spicy, add chili flakes or chili oil during the stirring process.
– If you’re watching your calorie intake, switch to boiled chicken or tofu instead of frying it.
Healthy Pad Thai Recipe: Substituting Ingredients to Make the Dish Low-Calorie and Gluten-Free
Pad Thai doesn’t have to be an indulgent meal. Here’s a healthy version of the dish that’s also gluten-free!
The Ingredients:
– Zucchini Noodles (1 large)
– Boneless Chicken or Tofu Strips (1 cup)
– Bean Sprouts (1/2 cup)
– Eggs (2)
– Scallions, Chopped (4-5)
– Garlic, Minced (3 cloves)
– Lime Juice (2 tbsp)
– Coconut Aminos (2 tbsp)
– Olive Oil (2 tbsp)
The Recipe:
1. Using a spiralizer, transform zucchini into noodles and set them aside.
2. Add garlic, scallions, and chicken strips to a pan coated with olive oil and cook over medium heat until cooked completely.
3. Add eggs to one side of the pan and cook until they’re scrambled.
4. Combine zucchini noodles, bean sprouts, lime juice, and coconut aminos to the pan and cook until all the ingredients are hot and cooked.
5. Remove from heat and serve hot, optionally garnishing with chopped cilantro or a lime wedge.
Tips:
– To enhance the flavor, add some ginger or red pepper flakes to the pan.
– You can replace zucchini noodles with spaghetti squash or shirataki noodles.
– If you want the dish to be spicier, add some dried chilies or chili paste.
Vegetarian Pad Thai Recipe: How to Make Pad Thai Without Meat
Meatless Pad Thai is just as delicious, and this recipe shows you how to achieve it with no loss of flavor.
The Ingredients:
– Dried Rice Noodles (225g)
– Scallions, Chopped (4-5)
– Garlic, Minced (3 cloves)
– Bean Sprouts (150g)
– Tofu, Crumbled (1 cup) or Tempeh
– Tamarind Paste (4 tbsp)
– Lime Juice (2 tbsp)
– Soy Sauce (3 tbsp)
– Sugar (3 tbsp)
– Vegetable Oil (3-4 tbsp)
– Large Eggs (2)
– Unsalted Peanuts, Finely Chopped (1/2 cup)
The Recipe:
1. Cook the rice noodles according to the package instructions. Rinse and drain with cold water to stop them from cooking further.
2. In a bowl, whisk together tamarind paste, lime juice, soy sauce, and sugar to create the Pad Thai sauce.
3. Heat vegetable oil in a wok or skillet over high heat, add minced garlic, sauté for around 20 seconds, and then add crumbled tofu and stir until golden brown.
4. Add cooked noodles and Pad Thai sauce to the wok and stir-fry for 1 to 2 minutes until combined.
5. Whisk two eggs and scramble them until cooked thoroughly.
6. Add bean sprouts and scallions to the wok, further stir-fry for another minute or so and remove from heat.
7. Sprinkle chopped peanuts on top, squeeze some lime juice and enjoy!
Tips:
– Substitute tofu with tempeh or crumbled tempeh for a different taste experience.
– To make it vegan, use vegan fish sauce or no fish sauce at all.
– For a meaty flavor with vegetarianism, add some shitake mushrooms to the pan.
Conclusion
Making Pad Thai yourself is highly rewarding, and with our guide, it will be much simpler. We’ve prepared a comprehensive list of five Pad Thai recipes for you to experiment with, and each recipe has been carefully crafted by us with a perfect balance of flavors. You don’t need to travel to Thailand to get your hands on the perfect Pad Thai now- go ahead and liven up your kitchen with these easy steps to prepare this epic dish.