---------- Recipe via Meal-Master (tm) v8.00
Title: Pad Thai (Pad's)
Categories: Thai, Ethnic, Pasta
Yield: 6 servings
1/2 lb Dried Rice Noodles (1/8" w).
1/2 lb Shrimp, chicken, or pork. *
1/2 cup Vegetable Oil (Approx.).
2 Cloves Garlic, chopped fine
1/4 cup Fish Sauce.
6 Tbsp White Vinegar.
6 Tbsp Sugar.
1 Tbsp Tomato Paste.
2 Tbsp Ground Roasted Chilies.
2 Eggs.
1/4 lb Bean Sprouts.
1/4 cup Ground Roasted Peanuts.
4 Scallions.
Lime Wedges.
* The meat used may be either fresh shrimps, chicken, pork, or
combinations. The traditional uses dried shrimps and hard tofu
pieces rather than fresh meat.
Soak the noodles for 20 to 25 minutes in enough warm water to cover.
They should be soft, but not so soft that they can be mashed easily
with the fingers. Later cooking will soften them more. Drain the
noodles thoroughly in a colander while preparing the other
ingredients. Traditionally, they are left in full length strands,
but you may cut them into shorter lengths (about 8-9 inches, say) to
facilitate easier stir frying.
Peel and devein the shrimps, leaving the tails intact, OR slice the
chicken/pork across the grain into strips not more than 1/8 inch
thick and 1-2 inches long.
Mix the fish sauce, sugar, vinegar, and tomato paste in a bowl.
Stir until the sugar is dissolved. Set the mixture aside. Slice the
scallions, both white and green parts, diagonally into pieces 1-1/2
inches long. Set aside.
Heat a wok, and add the vegetable oil to the hot wok. Swirl the oil
to coat the surface of the wok. Add garlic and fry till golden.
Add shrimp and fry till they turn pink, or if chicken/pork is used,
fry till the pink color disappears completely. Add the noodles and
toss lightly to coat them with oil and to distribute the garlic and
meat.
Add the liquid mixed earlier and bring to a boil rapidly, gently
folding the noodle, being careful not to break them. Reduce the
heat to medium and boil the mixture, folding frequently, until the
noodles have absorbed the liquid.
Using a wok scoop, or a stiff spatula, lift the noodles gently from
one side of the wok. Pour a little oil along the side of the wok,
then break one egg and slip it into the oil. Break the yolk, and
cover the egg with the noodles immediately. Repeat this on the
opposite side of the wok with the remaining egg. Allow the eggs to
cook undisturbed, over moderate heat, until they are set and almost
dry. Additional oil may be added if the eggs or the noodles begin to
stick to the wok.
When the eggs are set and almost dry, fold them gently but rapidly
into the noodles. Try not to break the noodles, which will be soft
and fragile at this point. An effective way is to insert the scoop
under the eggs, lift it through, and fold the mixture over.
Continue the lifting and folding motion until the eggs are broken up
and well distributed.
Add the bean sprouts and sliced scallions, and toss the mixture
quickly and gently, still avoiding breaking the noodles. Cook for
about 2 minutes, or until the bean sprouts and scallions are
crisp-tender.
Place the mixture on a large, warm serving platter. Sprinkle ground
chilies and peanuts over the top, and squeeze lime juice over that.
Alternately, these garnishes may be served on the side for each
diner to add according to tastes.
NOTES: 1. Pad Thai is traditionally served accompanied with fresh
vegetables, in particular whole scallion, a small pile of fresh raw
bean sprouts (to be mixed into the noodles), fresh onion-chives
washed and cut into 3" sections , and if available, a wedge of
banana blossom.
2. For the traditional recipe, omit the shrimps,pork/chicken,
and all references to them. Substitute 1/2 pound very firm tofu and
1/4 pound dried shrimps. Put the tofu on a triple layers of paper
towels, cover it with another triple layer, put a plate on top of
that, and put a two pound weight (cans of vegetables for an example)
on top of the plate. Let stand for 20 to 30 minutes to press out the
excess water. Put the dried shrimp in a sieve, rinse them quickly
under hot running water, and set aside to drain. After the tofu has
been pressed, slice it into strips about 1/4 inch thick, 1/2 inch
wide and 1 inch long.
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