Yum. Pad Thai has to be my favourite Asian dish! I love the combination of the sweet tamarind sauce and the tangy aroma of the lime. Added with the crunch of the crushed peanuts and you really. have yourself a winner with this chicken dinner (or tofu dinner for some). This dish really is bursting with protein, no matter which ingredients you choose to use!
I remember the best Pad Thai I ever ate was in Thailand (shock!). I was in Bangkok airport, about to leave for the Philippines, when I realised that during my 3 weeks in Thailand I hadn't once eaten a Pad Thai. So I rushed to the airport restaurant and ordered it straight away. And it BANGED.
This is my version of that authentic Pad Thai I had. Although with a little less oil and sugar... but full of flavour and nutrients to keep you full and as energised as poss.
Ingredients (Serves 2-3):
For the sauce...
2 tbsp tamarind puree
2 tbsp brown sugar
1 tbsp fish sauce
1 tbsp oyster sauce
For the stir fry...
100g dried Pad Thai sticks
2 tbsp rapeseed oil
1 white onion, sliced
3 garlic cloves, finely chopped
150g of chicken breast (or thigh), thinly sliced. Swap for tofu if you like!
2 eggs, whisked 1/4 cup of fresh chives, sliced
1 red pepper, thinly sliced
2 cups of bean sprouts
1/4 cup of finely chopped peanuts
Lime wedges
Chilli flakes (Or red pepper flakes if you are a wimp like me!)
Soy sauce
Method:
1) Soak the noodles in a bowl of boiling water for 5 minutes. Drain in a colander and quikcly rinse in cold water.
2) Mix the sauce ingredients in a small bowl
3) Heat 2 tbsp of the rapeseed oil in a large non-stick pan over high heat. Add the garlic and onions and cook until slightly browned.
4) Add the chicken and fry until cooked through and golden on the outside.
5) Push the ingredients to one side of the pan and scramble the egg on the other side. Then mix in with the chicken.
6) Add the bean sprouts, red peppers and noodles, then the sauce. Toss the ingredients together for a couple of minutes, then add the chives and half of the peanuts.
7) Remove from the heat quickly and serve up on a plate. Add some extra peanuts, the lime wedges, some soy sauce and a sprinkle of chili flakes if you wish!
Enjoy!
Let me know how you got on in the comments below!