Pad Thai: The Iconic Flavor of Traditional Thai Cuisine
Pad Thai is one of the most popular and beloved dishes of Thai cuisine. This dish, which delights the palate with both its taste and appearance, has increased the interest in Thai cuisine, especially around the world. So, how can we make this unique dish at home? Here it is, Pad Thai recipe Let's examine it in detail.
Ingredients for Pad Thai
The ingredients needed to make Pad Thai are quite diverse. Here are the ingredients you will need to prepare this delicious dish:
- For noodles: 200 grams of rice noodles
- Vegetable oil: 2 tablespoon
- For sauce:
- 2 tablespoons fish sauce
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice or tamarind juice
- Other ingredients:
- 200 grams of shrimp, chicken or tofu (optional)
- 2 clove of garlic (finely chopped)
- 2 pieces of eggs
- 1 cup fresh soybean sprouts
- 3-4 sprigs of spring onion (chopped)
- 1 handful of peanuts (roasted and crushed)
- 1 lemon (sliced)
How to Make Pad Thai?
The steps to follow in making Pad Thai are quite simple. However, doing each step correctly will increase the flavor of the dish. Here is the step-by-step process of making Pad Thai:
1. Preparing Noodles
Soak the rice noodles in hot water for 5-7 minutes. This is enough time for the noodles to soften. After they soften, drain them and mix them by adding a little vegetable oil to prevent them from sticking.
2. Preparing the Sauce
Combine all sauce ingredients in a small bowl. Add fish sauce, soy sauce, brown sugar, and lemon juice. Make sure to stir well to completely dissolve the brown sugar.
3. Cooking Protein Options
Heat 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil in a pan over medium heat. Add your protein of choice (shrimp, chicken or tofu) and cook thoroughly. Remove the cooked protein from the pan and set aside.
4. Roasting Vegetables and Eggs
Add the remaining oil to the pan and fry the finely chopped garlic. When the garlic turns slightly pink, break the eggs and cook while stirring. When the eggs are slightly hardened, add the bean sprouts and spring onions to the pan.
5. Add Noodles and Sauce
Add the soft noodles and sauce that you have prepared earlier to the pan. Cook for a few minutes, stirring until all the ingredients are well mixed. At this stage, you will feel that all the flavors are coming together.
6. Service Preparation
Place your Pad Thai on plates and garnish with crushed peanuts. You can add a little extra sourness to the dish by serving with sliced lemon. Once these steps are complete, your Pad Thai will be ready to serve!
Different Versions of Pad Thai
Pad Thai isn’t just made with shrimp or chicken. For those looking for a vegan option, tofu is a great alternative. You can also create versions that suit your personal taste by increasing the vegetables and experimenting with different sauces. For example, you can increase the nutritional value of the dish by adding vegetables like red peppers, carrots, or broccoli.
Health Benefits of Pad Thai
Pad Thai offers a healthy meal alternative with the vegetables and protein sources it contains. Especially fresh vegetables provide the vitamins and minerals the body needs. In addition, rice noodles do not contain gluten, making it a suitable option for those with gluten sensitivity.
In Conclusion
Pad Thai is a dish frequently preferred in kitchens for both its flavor and its practicality in preparation. You can easily prepare this traditional Thai dish at home by enriching it with ingredients that suit your own taste. Enjoy!
