Pad Thai is a famous stir-fried noodle dish in Thai cuisine , characterized by a refined combination of fresh ingredients and tasty spices. This dish seduces not only by its balance of flavors between sour, sweet, salty and spicy, but also by its diversity in preparation, adapting to everyone's tastes. The preparation of Pad Thai may seem complex, but it is actually easy to make at home, allowing you to enjoy the flavors of Thailand right in your own kitchen.
Quick summary
What is Pad Thai?
Pad Thai, also known as Thai stir-fried noodles, is a traditional dish of Thai cuisine, famous worldwide for its distinct flavors and easy-to-eat nature. This dish skillfully combines ingredients such as rice noodles, eggs, shrimp, chicken, tofu, mung bean sprouts, and other aromatic herbs. Pad Thai is distinguished by its tangy, sweet, salty, and spicy taste, which is popular with many people.
Originating in Thailand, Pad Thai was originally a popular street food. Today, this dish is not only found on busy streets, but is also served in high-end restaurants around the world. Pad Thai is not just a simple dish, but also represents the essence of Thai culinary culture, with a harmonious balance of ingredients and spices.
Additionally, Pad Thai can be modified into different styles, depending on one's personal preferences. Some of the most common versions include Chicken Pad Thai, Seafood Pad Thai, Vegetarian Pad Thai, and Beef Pad Thai. Each version offers a unique flavor, while still maintaining the distinctive appeal of this dish.
What are the ingredients in Pad Thai?
The main ingredients of Pad Thai are:
Rice noodles : This is the main ingredient of Pad Thai, usually used in small or medium sizes. Rice noodles are soaked in water to soften them before being stir-fried.
Shrimp : Shrimp is one of the essential ingredients of Pad Thai. Fresh shrimp are cleaned, peeled, and then stir-fried.
Chicken Breast : Chicken breast is a main ingredient in Pad Thai, usually sliced thinly and stir-fried with other ingredients like shrimp, tofu, and noodles. Chicken breast, naturally sweet and high in protein, with little fat, creates a balance between nutrition and flavor in this dish. When combined with Pad Thai sauce, it absorbs the spices well, adding a layer of distinctive flavor, enhancing the appeal of Pad Thai.
Eggs : Eggs are often beaten and stir-fried with the noodles, creating a creamy flavor and attractive color to the dish.
Tofu : Crispy fried tofu is an essential ingredient in Pad Thai, especially in vegetarian versions.
Mung Bean Sprouts : Fresh, crisp mung bean sprouts are added at the end, bringing a freshness and crunchy texture to the dish.
Herbs : Common herbs used in Pad Thai include spring onions, coriander, and finely chopped lime leaves.
Peanuts : Roasted and crushed peanuts are sprinkled on top, providing flavor and a crunchy texture.
Pad Thai Sauce : The sauce is the most important element that gives Pad Thai its distinct flavor. The sauce is made up of fish sauce, palm sugar, tamarind, soy sauce, and minced garlic. These ingredients are mixed in a specific proportion to create a characteristic sweet and tangy flavor.
Chili Powder : Chili powder or chopped fresh chili is added to provide a spicy kick, depending on taste.
Lemon : A slice of fresh lemon is often used to drizzle over the dish before serving, providing a slight acidity that balances the sweet and salty flavors of the sauce.
How to Make Pad Thai: Thai Fried Noodles Recipe
Ingredients for Pad Thai
- 300g rice noodles
- 80ml chicken broth
- 230g chicken breast
- 230g of shrimps
- 2 eggs
- 200g white tofu
- 100g peanuts
- 15g garlic (chopped)
- 50g spring onions (finely chopped)
- 10g mung bean sprouts
- ½ teaspoon chili powder
- 1 lemon
- Seasoning: tamarind vinegar, fish sauce, soy sauce, ground pepper, chili sauce, oil
Steps
Preparation of ingredients:
Rice noodles : Soak rice noodles in cold water for about 30 minutes to soften. Then drain.
Chicken breast : Rinse the chicken breast and cut into thin slices.
Shrimp : Clean the shrimp, peel them and remove the black thread. Drain.
Tofu : Cut the white tofu into small cubes, then fry them in hot oil until golden and crispy. Drain the excess oil.
Peanuts: Roast the peanuts, remove the skin and crush them.
Eggs : Break the eggs into a bowl and beat them.
Chives : Cut the chives into small pieces, separating the white part from the green leaves. Chop the garlic.
Preparation of the sauce:
In a small bowl, mix 2 tablespoons of tamarind vinegar, 1 tablespoon of fish sauce, 1 tablespoon of soy sauce, ½ tablespoon of chili sauce and a little ground pepper. Stir well so that the ingredients combine, creating the Pad Thai sauce.
Click here to purchase pad Thai sauce .
Sauté chicken and shrimp :
Heat a pan with 2 tablespoons of oil. When the oil is hot, add the chopped garlic and sauté until fragrant.
Add the chicken breast to the pan and sauté over high heat until the meat is cooked and firm. Next, add the shrimp and sauté with the chicken until they turn pink and are cooked through. Remove the chicken and shrimp from the pan and set aside.
Sauté eggs and noodles:
In the same pan, add a little oil if necessary, then pour in the beaten eggs. Stir-fry them quickly so that they cook and break up into small pieces.
Then add the rice noodles to the pan. Pour in 80ml of chicken stock to soften the noodles. Use chopsticks or a spatula to separate the noodles and stir-fry until tender and evenly cooked.
Assemble the ingredients:
Once the noodles are softened, pour the Pad Thai sauce into the pan, stirring so that the sauce soaks into the noodles.
Add the chicken, shrimp, fried tofu to the pan and continue to stir-fry until the ingredients mix well.
Finally, add the mung bean sprouts, the white part of the spring onion and stir-fry for another 1 to 2 minutes until the vegetables are just cooked.
Finishing the dish:
Serve the Pad Thai on a plate, sprinkle with crushed peanuts.
Add the green leaves of the spring onion, sprinkle with chili powder to taste and place a slice of lemon on the plate to squeeze before serving.
Tasting
Pad Thai is best served hot, with the combination of the light acidity of the lemon, the heat of the chili, the sweet and crunchy flavor of the peanuts and the richness of the sauce. This dish is not only delicious but also nutritious, ideal for a family meal or a small dinner.
Conclusion
Pad Thai is a dish with authentic Thai flavors, easy to prepare and suitable for many tastes. This dish, in addition to its nutritional value, also reflects the subtlety of Thai culinary art. Preparing Pad Thai at home not only allows you to enjoy exquisite flavors but also to have an enriching experience exploring the rich Thai cuisine . Try cooking Pad Thai for your family and friends, they will definitely enjoy this dish!
