Janets Pad Thai Recipes

PAD THAI

Steps:

• For the Pad Thai Sauce: In a small bowl, stir together the fish sauce, sugar, tamarind paste, lime juice, vinegar, paprika and chili sauce. Set aside.
• For the Pad Thai: Soak the noodles in enough warm water to cover for 1 hour.
• If using, cut the banana leaf into round shapes using an overturned bowl. Place on the serving platter and hold for plating.
• Heat a large cast-iron skillet over high heat. Add the oil and coat the skillet completely. When the skillet starts to smoke, add the garlic and cook, stirring, for 5 seconds. Add the tofu and dried shrimp and cook, stirring, until they begin to soften, 3 to 4 minutes. Add the chicken pieces and cook, stirring, until no longer pink, 1 to 2 minutes.
• Push ingredients in the skillet to one side and let the oil settle in the center of skillet. Crack the eggs into the oil and let set until half-cooked, about 30 seconds, then lightly scramble. Combine with the remaining cooked ingredients in the skillet, scraping the bits from the bottom before they burn. Add 3 cups of the drained noodles and cook, stirring, until softened, 2 to 3 minutes. Reserve the noodle soaking water.
• Add the salted turnip and shrimp. Cook until both the chicken and shrimp are at medium doneness, about 1 minute. Add the sauce and fold together until all the liquid is absorbed, about 2 minutes.
• Place half of the bean sprouts, half of the crushed peanuts and the garlic chives (or scallions) in the center of noodles, and then spoon some noodles over them to cover and let steam for 30 seconds. If the skillet seems dry, add a small amount of the noodle soaking water. Transfer to a serving plate with the banana leaf circle, and garnish with the remaining bean sprouts, peanuts and lime.

JANET'S PAD THAI

Steps:

• Put the sliced strip steak and red Thai curry powder in a resealable container and shake until the meat is thoroughly coated. Refrigerate for 30 minutes, to marinate.
• Meanwhile soak all the noodles in cold water for 30 minutes. Bring a large pot of water to a boil over medium heat. When the water comes to a boil add the noodles and cook for 3 minutes.
• While the noodles are cooking, heat the vegetable oil in a wok, over medium-high heat. Using a pair of tongs, remove the noodles from the boiling water and allow them to drain of any water over the top of the pot, and then carefully put them into wok and stir. Crack 2 unbeaten eggs directly into the wok along with the garlic, and stir until the egg is incorporated. Push the noodles to the rear portion of the wok and add the seasoned strip steak. Sear the meat for 1 minute, then turn and sear the other side for 1 minute. Mix the noodles back into the center of the wok along with the meat, and then add the sweet chili sauce, oyster sauce, tamarind, sugar, and a generous pinch of salt. Cook for 2 minutes, stirring. Stir in the basil and chives and remove from heat. Divide the noodles into 2 to 3 portions on serving plates. Garnish each serving with carrots, cabbage, sprouts, chopped peanuts, wedges of lime and spicy chili sauce, if desired.

PAD THAI

Steps:

• Soak the noodles in a shallow dish covered in water until pliable, about 10 minutes. Mix the fish sauce and sugar in a small bowl and reserve.
• Heat about 1 inch of vegetable oil in a high-sided skillet or wok and add the tofu. Fry the tofu until golden brown on all sides. Remove to paper-towel-lined plate to drain.
• In the same pan, add the shallots and saute until translucent, about a minute. Crack in the egg and break up while stirring together. Mix in the reserved fried tofu, fish sauce and sugar mixture and noodles. If the noodles are not coated enough in the sauce, stir in a couple more tablespoons of fish sauce. Add in the green onions and saute for another 30 seconds. Add the bean sprouts and remove from the heat. Top with crushed peanuts, radishes, limes and chili powder.