Pad Thai by Cooks Illustrated
Ingredients
Sauce
Noodles and Main Ingredients
Garnish
Instructions
- 1
Rehydrate the tamarind paste in boiling water. Stir the fish sauce, rice vinegar, sugar, cayenne, and 2 Tbsp oil into the tamarind liquid and set aside.
- 2
Cover the rice sticks with hot tap water in a large bowl; soak until softened, pliable, and limp but not fully tender, about 20 minutes. Drain the noodles and set aside. Beat the eggs and 1/8 tsp of the salt in a small bowl; set aside.
- 3
Heat 1 Tbsp oil in a 12-inch skillet (preferably nonstick) over high heat until just beginning to smoke. Add the shrimp and sprinkle with the remaining 1/8 tsp salt; cook, tossing occasionally, until the shrimp are opaque and browned about the edges, about 3 minutes. Transfer the shrimp to a plate and set aside.
- 4
Off heat, add the remaining 1 Tbsp oil to the skillet and swirl to coat:
- 5
Transfer the noodles to a serving platter, sprinkle with the remaining scallions, 2 Tbsp peanuts, and cilantro; serve immediately, passing lime wedges separately.
💡 Cook's Notes
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. Tofu is a good and common addition to pad thai. If you like, add 4 oz of extra-firm tofu or pressed tofu (available in Asian markets) cut into ¼-inch cubes (about 1 cup) to the noodles along with the bean sprouts. See similar: Stir-Fried Thai Noodles with chicken <!-- TODO: LINK TO 'stir-fried thai noodles with chicken' -->
Get Weekly Recipes
Join our newsletter for hand-picked family recipes every week.
More Asian Recipes
Broccoli Beef Stir-Fry
Vegetable cooking spray, 3 cups broccoli florets, 1 boneless beef sirloin or top round steak, 3/4-inch thick (about 3/4 lb), cut into very thin strips...
Chow Funn
8 oz fettuccine, 2 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil, 1 medium onion, chopped...
Mike's Stir Fried Snow Peas
3-4 pieces sun-dried tomatoes, cut lengthwise into ribbons, 1/2 red bell pepper, chopped, 1 carrot, sliced into ribbons...