Cooking Pad Thai at Home: A Delicious Recipe

Ingredients:

• 200g of flat rice noodles
• 200g of shrimp or chicken (as per preference)
• 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil
• 3 cloves of garlic, minced
• 1 onion, thinly sliced
• 2 eggs
• 1 cup of bean sprouts
• 1/2 cup of firm tofu, cut into small cubes
• 1/4 cup of chives or green onions, chopped
• 1/3 cup of unsalted roasted peanuts, crushed
• 2 tablespoons of fish sauce
• 1 tablespoon of tamarind paste
• 1-2 tablespoons of sugar (to taste)
• 1/2 teaspoon of chili powder (optional for heat)
• Lime wedges for serving

Instructions:

1. Prepare the noodles:
   • Soak the rice noodles in warm water for about 5-10 minutes or until they are soft but still firm to the touch. Drain and set aside.
2. Cook the protein:
   • Heat one tablespoon of oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add the shrimp or chicken and cook until just done. Remove the cooked shrimp or chicken from the pan and set aside.
3. Sauté the aromatics:
   • In the same pan, add another tablespoon of oil. Sauté the garlic and onions until they’re soft and fragrant.
4. Scramble the eggs:
   • Push the sautéed garlic and onions to one side of the pan. Crack the eggs into the pan and scramble until they are lightly set.
5. Combine ingredients:
   • Add the drained noodles to the pan with the eggs. Toss everything together until the noodles are hot and evenly coated with the egg.
6. Add flavor:
   • Mix the fish sauce, tamarind paste, sugar, and chili powder in a small bowl to make the sauce. Pour this over the noodles. Add the cooked shrimp or chicken back into the pan. Mix everything thoroughly.
7. Add vegetables and tofu:
   • Stir in the tofu cubes, bean sprouts, and chives or green onions. Cook for another 1-2 minutes until the vegetables are just tender but still crisp.
8. Garnish and serve:
   • Transfer the Pad Thai to a serving dish. Sprinkle the crushed peanuts over the top. Serve with lime wedges on the side.

Enjoy your homemade Pad Thai with a slice of lime squeezed over the top for that extra zest. This dish is best enjoyed fresh, capturing the vibrant essence of Thai cuisine at your dining table!