Welcome to my 30 minute meals series! Lately it has felt like there are too few hours in the day to do all the things I need to get done. With the summer coming to an end and the kids back in school I am sure I am not alone. Since making fresh and delicious meals for my family is very important to me, I have resorted to my secret weapon - 30 minute meals. Simple, delicious and quick recipes that dazzle the taste buds for when it gets really busy. Join me in September and October for my 30 minute meal series! Today I will be sharing my recipe for Pad Thai. I learnt how to make Pad Thaiduring a trip to Changrai in Northern Thailand. I took the cooking class with a local restaurateur popular known as the pad thai queen of Changrai! This is one of my fondest memories of Thailand.Northern Thailand is definitely my favorite part of Thailand, as they do not cater heavily to foreign tourists and so visitors come away with a more authentic experience.
Pad Thai
Preparation time: 10 minutes Cooking time: 20 minutes Total time: 30 minutes
Ingredients (serves 4) 1 lb/16 oz/454 g pad thai noodles (flat rice noodles) 4 tablespoons olive oil 2 cloves garlic, minced 4 shallots (1 cup), sliced into rings 8 oz/0.5 lb/227 g cooked prawns or diced tofu 2 eggs, beaten 1 cup bean sprouts Salt or fish sauce to taste
Sauce
6 tablespoons sugar or palm sugar
6 tablespoons fish sauce
4 tablespoons lime juice
1 tablespoon fresh chilies, crushed
Optional ingredients ¼ cup cashews, coarsely crushed 1 lime, cut into wedges
Method 1. Soak dry noodles in hot water for 8–10 minutes or until tender 2. Drain the noodles and set aside (the noodles should be added to the sauce soon after it is cooked to avoid sticking).
3. Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat, then add the garlic, shallots and prawns or diced tofu. Cook for 5 minutes and set aside. 4. Heat the remaining 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a medium frying pan over medium heat and scramble the eggs (about 3 minutes). 5. Combine all the ingredients for the sauce in a bowl and mix thoroughly
6. Reduce heat to low, then combine the noodles, pad thai sauce, garlic, shallots, prawns or tofu, eggs and bean sprouts in a large saucepan and cook for 2 minutes.