Pad Thai with Shrimp

Pad Thai is a beloved noodle dish from Thailand known for its sweet-and-sour, salty-spicy flavors and delightful combination of plump shrimp and tender rice noodles. However, recreating this iconic dish at home can often be daunting due to lengthy ingredient lists and hard-to-find items. Thankfully, we have developed a simplified version that doesn’t compromise on taste. By using a combination of readily available ingredients such as fish sauce, lime juice, rice vinegar, and brown sugar, we have achieved the perfect balance of flavors for the sauce. The shrimp are sautéed until just pink and added later to finish cooking, eliminating the need for additional seasoning. To ensure the ideal texture of the rice noodles, we soak them in hot water before stir-frying them in the pan. The addition of scrambled eggs, chopped peanuts, bean sprouts, and sliced scallions completes this easy and authentic-tasting pad Thai. Remember, it’s essential to use rice noodles specifically and not substitute them with other types of noodles to maintain the dish’s authenticity. Get ready to enjoy the vibrant flavors of this classic Thai dish in the comfort of your own kitchen.

INGREDIENTS:

• 8 ounces (¼-inch-wide) dried flat rice noodles
• ⅓ cup water
• ¼ cup lime juice (2 limes)
• 3 tablespoons fish sauce
• 3 tablespoons brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
• ¼ cup vegetable oil
• 12 ounces medium shrimp (41 to 50 per pound), peeled, deveined, and tails removed
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 large eggs, lightly beaten
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• 6 tablespoons chopped unsalted roasted peanuts
• 6 ounces (3 cups) bean sprouts
• 5 scallions, sliced thin
• Lime wedges
• Fresh cilantro leaves
• Sriracha sauce

PREPARATIONS:

1. In a large bowl, cover the rice noodles with very hot tap water and stir to separate. Let the noodles soak until softened, pliable, and limp but not fully tender, about 20 minutes. Drain.
2. In a separate bowl, whisk together water, lime juice, fish sauce, brown sugar, rice vinegar, and 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil.
3. Pat the shrimp dry with paper towels. Heat 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil in a 12-inch nonstick skillet over high heat until just smoking. Add the shrimp in a single layer and cook without stirring until they begin to brown about 1 minute. Stir the shrimp and continue cooking until they are spotty brown and just pink around the edges, about 30 seconds. Transfer the shrimp to a bowl.
4. Add the remaining 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil and minced garlic to the now-empty skillet and cook over medium heat until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Stir in the lightly beaten eggs and salt and cook, stirring vigorously, until the eggs are scrambled about 20 seconds.
5. Add the drained noodles and the fish sauce mixture to the skillet. Increase the heat to high and cook, tossing gently, until the noodles are evenly coated.
6. Add the cooked shrimp, ¼ cup of chopped peanuts, bean sprouts, and three-quarters of the sliced scallions to the skillet. Continue cooking, tossing constantly, until the noodles are tender, about 2 minutes. If necessary, add 2 tablespoons of water to the skillet and continue cooking until the noodles are tender.
7. Transfer the noodles to a serving platter and sprinkle with the remaining peanuts and sliced scallions. Serve with lime wedges, fresh cilantro leaves, and Sriracha sauce.

YIELD: This recipe serves 4 people.

SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS:

• Do not substitute other types of noodles for rice noodles.

TIPS:

• Customize your pad Thai by adding additional toppings such as bean sprouts, chopped cilantro, or a squeeze of fresh lime juice.
• Adjust the level of spiciness by adding more or less Sriracha sauce according to your taste preferences.
• For added freshness, serve with a side of crisp lettuce leaves for wrapping the noodles.

NUTRITIONAL INFORMATION PER SERVING:

• Calories: 440
• Fat: 23g
• Saturated fat: 3.5g
• Cholesterol: 175mg
• Carbohydrates: 36g
• Protein: 24g
• Fiber: 4g
• Sodium: 1450mg

Enjoy the vibrant flavors of Thailand with this simplified version of pad Thai. The combination of sweet-and-sour, salty-spicy sauce, succulent shrimp, and tender rice noodles creates a delightful harmony of tastes and textures. With our easy-to-follow recipe, you can recreate this classic Thai dish at home without the hassle of hard-to-find ingredients. The balance of flavors in the sauce and the proper cooking techniques ensure an authentic taste experience. Customize your pad Thai with additional toppings and adjust the spiciness level to suit your preferences. Serve this dish as a satisfying and flavorful meal for family and friends, and savor the taste of Thailand in every bite.