Shrimp Pad Thai
Take-Out is Easy. BUT – Easy is not always good (or healthy or cost effective). Instead of reaching for the phone the next time you are craving Thai Food, just make the take-out in your own kitchen!
This Pad Thai comes together so quickly once you start putting things in the pan, so be sure that you have your ingredients prepped and set aside before starting the process. The longest part of this whole dish is waiting for your pasta water to come to a boil!
Because I love to save money AND because of my love of cooking at home, we hardly ever go out to eat. I know I may not be in the majority with my love of cooking instead of eating out, but I think it takes more energy to make sure I am presentable after work to go out instead of just changing into sweats and whipping up dinner at home). When we cook at home, it is also possible to know everything that goes into your foods. All of that being said… I love to go out for a good meal and I crave take-out food as much as the next person (but we hardly ever eat fast-food – talking about maybe once a year, if that)! We have no reason to go out for Pad Thai anymore though, because we can quite easily make our own delicious variation at home – please join us in taking IN your favorite foods tonight instead of taking them OUT from a restaurant!
- 2 Tablespoons tamarind concentrate (or 4 tablespoons lime juice)
- 3 Tablespoons fish OR soy sauce
- 3 Tablespoons palm sugar or sugar
- 1 Tablespoon chili sauce or to taste
- 1/2 package linguine noodles
- 1 Tablespoon peanut oil
- 6 ounces shrimp, chicken or tofu
- 2 shallots (or 1 small onion), chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, chopped
- 1 egg, lightly beaten
- 2 tablespoons roasted peanuts, chopped
- 1 cup bean sprouts
- 2 green onions, sliced
- 1/4 cup cilantro, chopped
- 1 lime lime cut into wedges
- Bring a large pot of water to a boil and cook you noodles according to package directions (OR use Rice Noodles and follow soaking directions on that package).
- Heat the tamarind, fish sauce, sugar and chili sauce until the sugar is dissolved.
- Heat oil in a large pan or wok. Add the shrimp, shallots and garlic and saute for 2-3 minutes. Add the sauce and the noodles and mix and move to the side of the pan.
- Add the egg, let it set a bit and then mix it into the noodles. Add the peanuts and bean sprouts and cook for a minute. Add the green onions and cilantro and remove from heat.
- Serve onto individual plates and add more onions, cilantro, & peanuts for garnish.
Another great recipe from Kevin at Closet Cooking
And I leave you with this, Today’s Question of the Day… What is your favorite take-out?