How do I level up my pad thai game?

Elevate your Pad Thai skills to legendary status! Learn expert tips and tricks to impress your friends and family with an incredible Thai stir-fried noodle masterpiece.

You'll need

Items needed to answer the question, How do I level up my Pad Thai game. Items include: rice noodles shrimp or tofu eggs bean sprouts crushed peanuts green onions garlic lime fish sauce tamarind paste cooking oil

rice noodles 8 ounces
shrimp or tofu 1 pound
eggs 2
bean sprouts 1 cup
crushed peanuts 1/4 cup
green onions 3, thinly sliced
garlic 3 cloves, minced
lime 1, juiced
fish sauce 2 tablespoons
tamarind paste 2 tablespoons
cooking oil 2 tablespoons

Take note
Remember to take breaks to taste test your delicious creation along the way. Be prepared for your friends and family to be blown away by your new Pad Thai skills!

1

Gather Your Ingredients

Before you embark on your Pad Thai journey, make sure you have all the necessary ingredients. You'll need rice noodles, shrimp or tofu, eggs, bean sprouts, crushed peanuts, green onions, garlic, lime, fish sauce, and tamarind paste. Don't forget to grab a wok or a large skillet and some cooking oil too!

2

Soak the Rice Noodles

Place the rice noodles in a bowl and cover them with hot water. Let them soak for about 10 minutes, until they become pliable. Keep in mind that they'll continue to cook once you add them to the stir-fry, so you don't want them to become too soft.

3

Prep the Shrimp or Tofu

If you're using shrimp, peel and devein them. If you prefer tofu, drain it and cut it into bite-sized pieces. Season the shrimp or tofu with salt and pepper for extra flavor!

4

Whisk the Eggs

In a small bowl, whisk the eggs until well beaten. This will make it easier to incorporate them into the stir-fry later on. You can also add a pinch of salt and pepper for extra seasoning.

5

Stir-Fry Like a Pro

Heat some cooking oil in the wok or skillet over medium-high heat. Add the shrimp or tofu and stir-fry for a couple of minutes until they're cooked through. Remove them from the pan and set them aside for now. Next, add the garlic to the pan and stir-fry for about 30 seconds until fragrant.

6

Add the Noodles

Drain the soaked rice noodles and add them to the pan with the garlic. Toss everything together to combine. Be careful not to break the noodles as you stir-fry them. Continue cooking for a few minutes until the noodles are heated through.

7

Throw in the Good Stuff

Now it's time to add the bean sprouts, green onions, and the cooked shrimp or tofu back into the pan. Toss everything together and let it cook for another minute or so until the bean sprouts start to wilt slightly.

8

Season to Perfection

In a small bowl, mix together the fish sauce, tamarind paste, and the juice of one lime. Pour this sauce over the Pad Thai and gently toss to evenly coat everything. Don't be shy with the sauce, it's what brings all the flavors together!

9

Serve and Garnish

Plate up your mouthwatering creation and garnish with a squeeze of lime juice, a sprinkling of crushed peanuts, and some additional green onions. A dash of sriracha or crushed red pepper flakes can add some delicious heat if you like it spicy!