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Pad Thai
A wok might be the implement of choice in restaurants and the old country, but a large 12-inch skillet (nonstick makes cleanup easy) is more practical for home cooks. Although pad thai cooks very quickly, the ingredient list is long, and everything must be prepared and within easy reach at the stovetop when you begin cooking. For maximum efficiency, use the time during which the tamarind and noodles soak to prepare the other ingredients.
Ingredients
2 tablespoons tamarind paste or substitute (42g)
3/4 cup water (boiling)
3 tablespoons fish sauce (35g)
1 tablespoon rice vinegar (13g)
3 tablespoons granulated sugar (14g)
0.5 teaspoon cayenne pepper
4 tablespoons peanut oil or vegetable oil (12g per TBSP)
8 ounces dried rice stick noodles , about 1/8 inch wide (the width of linguine)
2 large eggs (try 3?)
1/4 teaspoon table salt
12 ounces firm tofu
3 cloves garlic , pressed through garlic press or minced (1 tablespoon)
1 medium shallot , minced (about 3 tablespoons)
2 tablespoons Thai salted preserved radish (optional)
6 tablespoons chopped unsalted roasted peanuts
3 cups bean sprouts (6 ounces)
5 medium scallions , green parts only, sliced thin on sharp bias
1/4 cup fresh cilantro leaves (optional)
lime wedges
Instructions
1. In a bowl combine tamarind paste (42g), stir fish sauce (35g), rice vinegar (13g), sugar (14g), 2 tablespoons oil (24g), and cayenne (1/2 tsp fresh = too much) into tamarind liquid and set aside.
2. Cover rice sticks with hot tap water in large bowl; soak until softened, pliable, and limp but not fully tender, about 20 minutes. Drain noodles and set aside. Beat eggs and 1/8 teaspoon salt in small bowl; set aside.
3. Heat 1 tablespoon oil in 12-inch skillet (preferably nonstick) over high heat until just beginning to smoke, about 2 minutes. Add tofu and sprinkle with remaining 1/8 teaspoon salt; cook, tossing occasionally, about 3 minutes. Transfer tofu to plate and set aside.
4. Off heat, add remaining tablespoon oil to skillet and swirl to coat; add garlic and shallot, set skillet over medium heat and cook, stirring constantly, until light golden brown, about 1 1/2 minutes; add eggs to skillet and stir vigorously with wooden spoon until scrambled and barely moist, about 20 seconds. Add noodles and salted radish (if using) to eggs; toss with 2 wooden spoons to combine. Pour fish sauce mixture over noodles, increase heat to high, and cook, tossing constantly, until noodles are evenly coated. Scatter 1/4 cup peanuts, tofu, bean sprouts, scallions, over noodles; continue to cook, tossing constantly, until noodles are tender, about 2 1/2 minutes (if not yet tender add 2 tablespoons water to skillet and continue to cook until tender).
5. Transfer noodles to serving platter, sprinkle with remaining scallions, 2 tablespoons peanuts, and cilantro; serve immediately, passing lime wedges separately.
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