Chicken Pad Thai

*Post by Angela.

So, as it happens, I'm not really all that great of a cook, at least not yet. Sure, give me a recipe to follow, and I'll make the hell out of it (usually making a few slight changes to suit my preferences). But I've never been able to just go off the cuff - at this point in my cooking [self-]education, I'd fail miserably at a Top Chef-like challenge. But every once in awhile, I experience glimmers of what it would be like to be one of those culinary elites...

The other night, I wanted to make Pad Thai.  It's one of those dishes that is probably cheaper ordered than made, but I still wanted to try. After asking around and perusing about 15 different recipes, I realized that Pad Thai is also one of those dishes you just have to kind of feel your way around - you just have to understand what ingredients and flavors have to be included. So, ladies and gentlemen, after tasting and tweaking my way through the entire cooking process (and taking copious notes), I present you with my version of Pad Thai. I actually think that this may be one of the best things I've ever made, which maybe means I should wing it more often!

 

List of ingredients for the Pad Thai:

• 1 12-oz. package Thai rice noodles
• 1 tbsp peanut oil
• 3 cloves garlic
• 5 green onions
• 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 1/4 cup + 1 tbsp vegetable oil
• 4 eggs
• 3 tbsp white wine vinegar
• 3 tbsp smooth, room temperature peanut butter
• 4 tbsp Thai fish sauce
• 2 tbsp soy sauce
• 6 tbsp sugar
• 1 tbsp Sriracha (I like my food very, very spicy, so you may want to use less)
• 1 tbsp crushed red pepper
• 2 cups bean sprouts
• 1 lime, sliced
• 1/4 cup crushed, dry-roasted peanuts

First things first. I boiled a pot of water, removed it from the heat, then submerged the noodles into the pot and let it sit about 10 minutes (until the noodles were soft).

 

I drained the noodles, rinsed them in cold water, then drained again and set them aside.

 

The cooking process for Pad Thai tends to go pretty fast, so I prepped my ingredients before starting. I chopped up two of the green onions, minced the garlic, and chopped the chicken into bite-sized pieces.

 

I heated a tbsp of peanut oil with 1 tbsp of vegetable oil over high heat until almost smoking, added the chopped green onions and garlic, and fried it for about 30 seconds (make sure it doesn't burn!). I just wanted to flavor the oil a bit before throwing in the chicken.

 

I added the chicken and cooked through until no pink showed.

 

I removed the chicken from the pan (draining the excess liquid), and set it aside. Then I moved on to the sauce. I whisked the vinegar, peanut butter, fish sauce, soy sauce, sugar, Sriracha, and crushed red pepper together in a bowl until fairly smooth. I also minced up the remaining green onions, and cracked the eggs into a bowl, beating them lightly.

 

Then I heated the remaining 1/4 cup vegetable oil over medium high heat in a pot (I would have used a wok, but I don't own one. The only reason I can see to get married is to get lots of new cooking gear, and a wok is one of the first things on my list), and poured the eggs into the hot oil. Using a spatula, I scrambled and cooked them about 1-2 minutes, until just starting to set.

 

I added the chicken and cooked for an additional 2 minutes.

 

I added the noodles, cooked for an additional 2 minutes, then added the vinegar/fish sauce mixture. I cooked for 3 more minutes (until the noodles were tender), removed the pot from heat, then added the green onions and bean sprouts.

 

 I mixed the whole deal up, then served it with a slice of lime and topped it with crushed peanuts.

 

Look, you guys! It looks just like it does in the restaurant! And I don't mean to brag, but this turned out even better than I've had dining out (mostly because I was able to make it spicier than at the typical Thai restaurant). Mark concurred. Now, it's not like I'm going to throw away the carryout menu for Thai restaurant on the corner just yet. But you better believe the next time I'm craving Pad Thai, I'll be making it myself.

Comments

[Ross]

Wow, that really does look delicious!

[Angela]

HI ROSS! Anytime you want me to make you some Pad Thai, let me know. I can be at your house in 5 minutes.