Pad Thai: Why You’ll Love This 😍
Pad Thai is one of those meals that seems like magic when you get it right. The mix of fresh ingredients, a punchy sauce, and those chewy rice noodles make it a party for your taste buds. The best part? You don’t need to be an expert in Thai cooking to nail it. Just follow my simple steps, and you’ll have a delicious plate of Pad Thai in no time.
One of the coolest things about this recipe is that it’s super flexible. If you don’t eat chicken, feel free to swap it out for prawns, tofu, or even a mix of veggies. It’s up to you! And, of course, the chilli is totally optional if you prefer a milder version. 🌶️
Tips and Tricks for the Best Homemade Pad Thai 🎉
Here’s a little secret to getting your Pad Thai just right: it’s all in the timing. You want to make sure your noodles are soft but not mushy, and that your chicken (or protein of choice) is cooked through without drying out. Here are my top tips to help you make the best version possible:
- Soak Your Noodles Right: Flat rice noodles cook fast! So, instead of boiling them, soak them in hot water for about 5 minutes. This keeps them from turning into mush while you’re stir-frying. Don’t forget to rinse them in cold water after soaking, which helps them firm up and stop cooking.
- Use Fresh Ingredients: The magic of Pad Thai comes from the crunch of fresh bean sprouts, the tang of lime juice, and the savoury pop of garlic and ginger. So, grab the freshest veggies and aromatics you can find. 🍋🧄
- Toast Your Peanuts: I always recommend lightly toasting your peanuts before adding them to the dish. It brings out the nutty flavour and gives a satisfying crunch. You can do this in a dry pan for a couple of minutes until they’re golden.
- Perfect Your Sauce: The sauce is the heart of Pad Thai. Getting that balance of tamarind, fish sauce, and sugar is key. If you like it more tangy, feel free to add a touch more tamarind. For a sweeter touch, a dash more brown sugar works wonders.
Best Ingredients to Use for Pad Thai 🛒
Here are my top picks for the freshest and most flavourful ingredients to give your Pad Thai an authentic taste:
- Rice Noodles: Choose flat, wide rice noodles for the best texture. They’ll soak up the sauce beautifully.
- Tamarind Paste: This is what gives Pad Thai its signature tangy flavour. You can find tamarind paste in most supermarkets or Asian grocery stores.
- Fish Sauce & Oyster Sauce: These two together are the umami dream team! They give the dish that deep, salty richness.
- Bean Sprouts: Don’t skip these! They add freshness and crunch that cuts through the sauce.
Serving and Pairing Suggestions 🍽️
Pad Thai is delicious on its own, but if you’re looking to make it a complete meal, here are a few ideas:
- Side of Greens: A light, refreshing cucumber salad with a tangy vinegar dressing would complement the rich flavours of Pad Thai beautifully.
- Refreshing Drinks: Pair this dish with a cold Thai iced tea or a citrusy mocktail for something light and refreshing. 🍹
- Extra Lime and Peanuts: Always serve with extra lime wedges and a small bowl of crushed peanuts on the side, so everyone can customise their plate. 🍋🥜
Similar Recipes You’ll Love 💖
If you’ve enjoyed this recipe, you’ll definitely want to check out some of my other dishes. Here are a few you must try:
All of these recipes bring the flavours of your favourite takeaways right to your kitchen. 🍲🍢
I can’t wait for you to whip up this delicious Pad Thai! When you do, don’t forget to take a picture and share it with me on Instagram @steph_cooks_stuff 📸. I love seeing all of your amazing creations!
Pad Thai
- Total Time: 25
- Yield: 4
Description
👋 Hi there! Exciting news: Recipe 1 in my “Make Your Own Takeaway” series is here, and it’s a fabulous Easy Homemade Pad Thai! 🌟 This dish is a delightful mix of flavors and textures, and I can’t wait for you to try it out. Let’s dive into the ingredients and steps!
Ingredients
- 🐔 2 chicken breasts, thinly sliced
- 🍜 1 packet of flat Thai rice noodles
- 🌱 4 green onions, chopped
- 🌶️ 1 red chilli sliced (optional)
- 🧄 1 tbsp garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp ginger paste
- 🌱 250g bean sprouts
- 🥜 1 cup toasted peanuts
- 🍋 juice of a lime
For our amazing Pad Thai sauce:
Instructions
- Start by soaking the noodles in hot water for 5 mins until they’re soft. Then, drain, rince in cold water and set aside.
- Heat up a large wok and stir-fry your chicken, ginger and garlic until the chicken is almost cooked.
- Add in the green onions, chilli and bean sprouts. Give it a good stir to combine all the ingredients.
- Time for the sauce! Mix in the tamarind, brown sugar, fish sauce, and oyster sauce. Stir everything until evenly coated with the sauce.
- Now add your noodles and toss until they are coated with your sauce
- Finish off by squeezing the juice of a lime all over.
And there you have it! A scrumptious Easy Homemade Pad Thai that’s perfect for a cozy dinner at home. 🏠
Share your Pad Thai pics with me! I’m always excited to see your kitchen creations. 📸
Happy Cooking, everyone! 🍳🌈
- Prep Time: 10
- Cook Time: 15
- Category: Recipes
- Method: Stir-Frying
- Cuisine: Australian
Frequently Asked Questions
Absolutely! You can easily substitute chicken with prawns, tofu, or beef. Just adjust the cooking time depending on the protein you choose. For example, prawns cook faster, so keep an eye on them to avoid overcooking.
Yes, you can! Swap out the fish sauce for soy sauce or tamari to keep it vegetarian. Tofu is an excellent protein replacement, and you can add extra veggies like carrots, broccoli, or capsicum.
Pad Thai is best served fresh, but if you have leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days. To reheat, add a splash of water and stir-fry on medium heat to freshen up the noodles.