Vegetable Pad Thai is a delicious and popular Thai stir-fried noodle dish that's both flavorful and satisfying. A step-by-step guide on how to make Vegetable Pad Thai:
Ingredients:
For the Pad Thai Sauce:
- 3 tablespoons tamarind paste
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1-2 teaspoons chili sauce or Sriracha (adjust to your spice preference)
- 1/4 cup vegetable broth or water
For the Pad Thai:
- 8 ounces (about 225 grams) rice noodles (preferably flat and wide)
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 1 small onion, thinly sliced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup tofu, diced (optional)
- 2 cups assorted vegetables (e.g., bell peppers, carrots, broccoli, bean sprouts)
- 2 large eggs, lightly beaten (omit for a vegan version)
- 1/4 cup chopped roasted peanuts
- Lime wedges and fresh cilantro for garnish
- Extra chili sauce, soy sauce, or fish sauce for serving (optional)
Instructions:
Preparing the Noodles:
1. Cook the rice noodles according to the package instructions. Typically, you'll need to soak them in hot water for about 8-10 minutes until they become soft but still slightly firm (al dente). Drain, rinse with cold water, and set aside.
Making the Pad Thai Sauce:
2. In a bowl, whisk together the tamarind paste, soy sauce, brown sugar, chili sauce or Sriracha, and vegetable broth or water. Adjust the sweetness, spiciness, and tartness to your taste by adding more sugar, chili sauce, or tamarind paste if needed.
Stir-Frying the Ingredients:
3. Heat the vegetable oil in a large pan or wok over medium-high heat.
4. Add the diced tofu (if using) and stir-fry until it starts to turn golden brown and crispy, about 3-4 minutes. Remove it from the pan and set it aside.
5. In the same pan, add the sliced onion and minced garlic. Stir-fry for about 2 minutes or until the onion becomes translucent.
6. Push the onion and garlic to one side of the pan and pour the lightly beaten eggs into the other side. Scramble the eggs until they're cooked through.
7. Add the assorted vegetables to the pan and stir-fry for another 2-3 minutes until they begin to soften but are still slightly crunchy.
Putting it All Together:
8. Add the cooked rice noodles and the Pad Thai sauce to the pan. Toss everything together until the noodles are well coated with the sauce and heated through, about 2-3 minutes.
9. If you'd like to include tofu or another protein, add it back to the pan and toss to combine.
Serving:
10. Divide the Vegetable Pad Thai among serving plates.
11. Garnish each plate with chopped roasted peanuts and a wedge of lime.
12. Serve hot, with extra chili sauce, soy sauce, or fish sauce on the side for those who want to adjust the flavors further.
13. Sprinkle with fresh cilantro for a burst of flavor and color.
Enjoy your homemade Vegetable Pad Thai! It's a delightful blend of sweet, sour, and savory flavors.