Quick and Easy Pad Thai

This is a quick and easy version of the traditional Thai noodle dish made with common supermarket ingredients. Authentic versions call for tamarind paste or concentrate, but this sauce mixture makes a more than acceptable substitute. If desired, substitute chicken, pork or even tofu for the shrimp and adjust cooking times accordingly.

Quick And Easy Pad Thai

Ingredients ~
7 ounces flat rice noodles
3 tablespoons fish sauce
3 tablespoons ketchup
1 tablespoon lime juice
2 tablespoons water
1/8 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
2 tablespoons sugar
1/2 teaspoon chili garlic sauce or sambal
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
3/4 lb shrimp, peeled and deveined, tails on
2 eggs, lightly beaten
4 cloves garlic, finely chopped
1-1/2 cups bean sprouts
4 scallions, chopped
2 tablespoons fresh cilantro, chopped
2 tablespoons unsalted peanuts, crushed
1 lime, cut into quarters

Preparation ~
Prepare the rice noodles according to the package directions, or follow the directions in the recipe notes below.

Combine the fish sauce, ketchup, lime juice, water, sugar, Worcestershire and chili garlic sauce in a small bowl and set aside.

Heat a wok or large skillet over high heat and add the vegetable oil. Add the shrimp and stir fry for a until they turn pink and opaque, about 1-1/2 to 2 minutes. Transfer to a plate and cover loosely to keep warm.

Lower the meat to medium-high and add the beaten egg to pan. Cook until set, stirring constantly. Add the garlic and stir-fry until fragrant, about 30 seconds.

Add the fish sauce-ketchup mixture. Stir to combine with the egg and garlic. Add the rice noodles and toss to coat evenly with the sauce. Remove from the heat, add in the shrimp, the scallions and the bean sprouts and combine.

Divide among 4 plates, top with the fresh cilantro and crushed peanuts, garnish with a wedge of lime and serve.

Makes 4 servings

Recipe Notes ~
My favorite method of cooking the rice noodles is to bring a pot of water to a boil, remove from the heat and add the noodles, stirring to prevent sticking once they soften. Test them every 5 minutes until they are softened to your liking. The time will vary between brands, but 9 to 12 minutes is average. Once the noodles are soft, drain and rinse with fresh water to minimize sticking.