Delicious Pad Thai Noodles

INTRODUCTION

Pad Thai is a popular and iconic Thai dish known for its vibrant flavors and versatility. It typically consists of stir-fried rice noodles, eggs, tofu or shrimp, bean sprouts, and a combination of savory, sweet, and tangy sauces, such as tamarind paste, fish sauce, and palm sugar. Garnished with crushed peanuts, fresh lime, and cilantro. Originating from Thailand's bustling street food culture, Pad Thai has gained international popularity and has become a favorite among food enthusiasts worldwide. It is not only delicious but also boasts several nutritional benefits, making it a wholesome meal option.

Nutrition Characteristics:

• High in protein from peanuts and bean sprouts.

• Contains essential vitamins and minerals from fresh vegetables like bell peppers and green onions.

• Provides healthy fats from peanut butter and vegetable oil.

Other Positive Characteristics:

• Convenience: Ready in just 30 minutes, perfect for busy weeknights.

• Cost-effective: Utilizes affordable ingredients like ramen noodles and common pantry staples.

• Preparation time: Requires only 15 minutes of cooking time.

• Safety: The cooking process is straightforward and safe for beginners.

• Storage: Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to two days, ideal for meal prepping.

PREPARATION

Gather Ingredients

To begin, gather all the necessary ingredients: 4 packages of ramen noodles, soy sauce, vegetable oil, garlic, fresh bean sprouts, red bell pepper, green onion, dry roasted peanuts, fresh cilantro, low-sodium soy sauce, limes, black pepper, and creamy peanut butter.

Boil Water

First, you must fill a medium saucepan with water and cover the saucepan for about 5 minutes or until the water is boiling. 

Cook Ramen Noodles

Once the water is boiling add the 4 packages of ramen noodles to the pot and let cook according to the package instructions (3 minutes) until they are just tender. Use a pasta strainer to drain them and set them aside for later use.

Mix Pad Thai Sauce

While the noodles are cooking, prepare the Pad Thai sauce, this should take at least 3 minutes. Combine the low-sodium soy sauce, juice of two medium limes, black pepper, and creamy peanut butter in a small bowl. Mix with a fork until the ingredients are well incorporated. For an extra burst of flavor, consider adding the seasoning packets from the ramen noodle packages to the sauce mixture. Set the sauce aside for later use. 

Cut Vegetables

Next, you will need a chopping board and a chef’s knife to cut the vegetables, this should take about 10 minutes. Secure the cutting board by placing a damp paper towel underneath it. A slipping cutting board could result in injuries from your knife slipping. Make sure to grip the knife properly by putting your finger and thumb at the back of the knife and wrapping your fingers around it.

Chop Onions 

First, begin by cutting the onion in half first right through the root end, and peel the outer layers, making sure that the root end is still intact. Then prepare to start dicing the onion, by holding the onion in the non-dominant hand, forming a claw so that your fingers go in. Now in your dominant hand firmly grip the knife, and make sure that the flat side of the onion is down so it'll give you the most stability. Make a few incisions horizontally into the onion. Then turn the onion towards you with the root side furthest away and again with that claw, make a few cuts vertically. Turn the onion again and use your knuckles as a guide and you're going to start chopping medium-sized pieces.  Once that is done set the onions aside in a bowl. 

Mince Garlic

Now you will mince the garlic. Start by removing the root end with the knife, and cut it off. Next, you will peel the garlic by placing the garlic cloves under the blade of the knife, laying the blade flat on top, and then applying pressure to smash it down. The papery skin should fall right off. Again, the same as dicing the onions, use the claw method to cut the garlic. Repeat this until the garlic is diced into very small pieces. Set this aside with the onions. 

Julienne Red Bell Peppers

Next, you will julienne the red bell peppers, or in layman's terms thinly slice them. Start by cutting the red bell pepper in half from root to stem. Then, remove the seeds from the inside. Lay the 2 halves flat with the inside facing the cutting board. You want to make ⅛ inch-equal slices down. Then stack the slices together and cut them in half. Set this aside in a bowl with the other ingredients. 

Chop Cilantro

Finally, you will chop the cilantro, which is a common way to cut this herb since it is typically used to garnish dishes. First, stack the cilantro leaves in a pile and then roll them up from the top down in a cigar shape. Use the same cutting motion used for dicing, until it is in fine pieces. Use enough force to fully cut down. Set aside separate from the other vegetables because this will be used to garnish the meal once ready to plate it. 

Heat Oil 

Now once the vegetables are cut and set aside, heat three tablespoons of vegetable oil in a large skillet or reduction pan over medium-high heat for 3 minutes or until bubbles form. Once the oil is hot, add the minced garlic, chopped onion, fresh bean sprouts, and thinly sliced red bell pepper to the pan. 

Sautee Vegetables

Sautee the vegetables for 4 minutes or until they are tender and fragrant, taking care not to overcook them. Use a spatula to push everything to the side of the pan and add noodles, sauce, and peanuts. Mix to combine everything. 

Garnish & Serve

Garnish the top with the cilantro, and serve the food on a heat-safe plate from around 140 to 160  degrees Fahrenheit. This should take no more than 2 minutes and yield 4 servings.

RECIPE

Delicious Pad Thai Noodles 

Prep time: 15 minutes

Cook time: 15 minutes

Total time: 30 minutes

4 Servings 

Ingredients:

·         ▢ (12 ounces) 4 Packages of Ramen Noodles Soy Sauce 

·         ▢ 3 Tbs Vegetable oil

·         ▢ 12 cloves garlic, minced

·         ▢ 1 cup fresh bean sprouts

·         ▢ 1 red bell pepper, Medium, thinly sliced

·         ▢ 1 onion, Medium, chopped

·         ▢ 1/2 cup dry roasted peanuts

·         ▢ 1/2 cup Fresh cilantro, chopped

Pad Thai Sauce:

·         ▢ 8 Tbs low-sodium soy sauce

·         ▢ 2 limes, Medium

·         ▢ 4 Tbs Black Pepper (optional)

·         ▢ 4 Tbs creamy peanut butter (Skippy Peanut butter from RRC)

Instructions:

1.       Cook noodles according to package instructions, just until tender.

2.       Make sauce by mixing sauce ingredients, creamy peanut butter, low-sodium soy sauce, black pepper, and lime. Optional: add seasoning from Ramen Noodle packages for extra flavor. Set aside.

3.       Stir Fry: Heat 3 tablespoons of oil in a large reduction pan over medium-high heat. Add the garlic, green onion, bean sprouts, and red bell pepper. Cook until tender. 

4.       Push everything to the side of the pan and add noodles, sauce, and peanuts to the pan. Toss everything to combine.

5.       Garnish the top with cilantro. Serve immediately!

Chanel Cadet & Asmita Shah April 20, 2024