February 23rd, 2011

What’s Cooking?, Phad Thai, Recipe, Last Night’s Dinner, Easy, One Dish Meal, Gluten Free

Phad Thai is one of Thailand’s national dishes.  It consists of stir-fried rice noodles with eggs and fish sauce; other combinations can be added like bean sprouts, beef, shrimp, chicken or tofu.  Crushed peanuts is the garnish that finishes the dish.

Last night I was in one of those moods.  A simple recipe that would not take long and pretty much a one dish meal.  Most of Thai food is gluten free, so this was a no brainer.  I added tofu, but it is not necessary.

Phad Thai with Tofu

1 package (13.2 ounces) of rice sticks.  I bought Sun Luck

4 tablespoons vegetable oil

1 garlic clove, minced

4 eggs

5 tablespoons of fish sauce (or, to taste)

3 bunches of green onions cut into 1/2 inch lengths

1/4 cup or a bit more of chicken broth (low sodium)

2 tablespoons of sugar

1 1/2 teaspoons of paprika

1 cup of bean sprouts

1/4 cup ground peanuts

1 cup of extra firm tofu cut in pieces (optional)

In a large bowl soak rice sticks for about 45 minutes, until tender, but firm.

In a skillet put 1 tablespoon of oil and fry the tofu pieces until they brown but do not burn.  Take them out and put them aside.

In a large frying pan, large enough that the noodles will fit when added, put the 3 tablespoons of oil in a medium high heat.  Add the garlic and then the green onions; stir fry for a few minutes. 

Add the eggs and scramble them until done.

Drain the rice sticks well and add to the egg mixture.  Even though it looks like a lot in the pan, they will cook down.  Keep stir frying until the rice stick become translucent, at the same time adding chicken broth to the frying pan.  Stir fry away. You might not need all the chicken broth.  I usually do use that amount of broth, though.

When the rice sticks begin to stick together then add the fish sauce, sugar and paprika and bean sprouts.  Then, add the tofu if desired or shrimp, beef, chicken, or nothing at all.

Continue to cook until dry; add crushed peanuts and serve.  This particular dish is not spicy.  If you would like to add a little kick to it, just add a chili pepper or your favorite “heat”.

Please note that this recipe will serve 4 hungry people.  Otherwise, leftovers will be great the next day.

Please enjoy this recipe and make it your own…

Have a great day!!!……talk to you soon….