Pad Thai

Thailand's most famous dish covers an amazing range of flavors, from the spicy to the sweet.

Pad Thai
Ingredients You Will Need:
Noodles:
1/2 pound fresh rice noodles, cut into 1/2-inch slices, or flat dried rice noodles
1 cup fresh bean sprouts
1/3 cup oil
1 tablespoon minced garlic
4 tablespoons minced shallots
2 teaspoons shrimp paste
1 tablespoon chopped dried shrimp
10 shrimp, shelled, deveined, or substitute pork
3 tablespoons fish sauce (nam pla)
1 tablespoon rice vinegar
2 tablespoons light brown sugar
2 tablespoons tomato ketchup
½ teaspoon chili powder (optional)
2 eggs, lightly beaten

Garnishes:
1/3 cup coarsely ground peanuts, unsalted
1/2 teaspoon dried red chili flakes (optional)
2 green onions, finely sliced
2 tablespoons chopped coriander leaves
2 limes, cut into wedges
1 handful bean sprouts
1 cucumber, sliced

If using dried rice noodles, soak in hot water for 20 minutes before cooking. Drain. In 4 quarts boiling water, cook fresh rice noodles 2 to 3 minutes or until just tender to the bite, al dente. Drain. Rinse. Drain for 30 minutes or until dry. In boiling water, blanch the bean sprouts for 30 seconds. Refresh under cold water. Drain.

Heat oil. Fry garlic and shallots until golden. Add the shrimp paste and dried shrimp. Stir. Add the shrimp, and stir-fry until done. Add the fish sauce, vinegar, sugar, ketchup and chili powder. Stir until sugar dissolves. Add the beaten eggs, and let them set slightly. Then stir to scramble. Add the noodles, and toss for about 2 minutes. Place the Pad Thai on a platter. Sprinkle the noodles with peanuts, chili flakes, green onions, and coriander. Arrange lime wedges around the edge of the platter. Serve with a side dish of fresh bean sprouts and cucumbers.