Pad Thai Noodles

Thai food is a wonderful combination of sweet,spicy and sour flavors.It is literally bursting with all the delicious flavors and a treat for your taste buds.My passion for Thai food started about 2 years back when I first tried hot Red Thai curry and I am in love with Thai cuisine ever since.

Last weekend I was craving something hot and spicy and thought of making Pad Thai noodles.I used Rice Noodles for making this dish ,also known as 'Rice Sticks'.The noodles are steamed in hot water for 5 minutes and then stir fried with flavorful pad Thai sauce.I added marinated tofu to noodles which can be substituted with Paneer(Cottage Cheese) if you wish.

Ingredients(Serves 3-4)

8 oz Rice Noodles (approx 225 gm)

100 g Tofu/Paneer

2 eggs,lightly beaten

1 medium onion ,finely chopped

1 medium carrot,finely grated

2 tbsp Garlic Paste

3 tbsp groundnuts

2 tsp chopped green coriander leaves(cilantro)

Oil,for stir frying

Salt,to taste

For Pad Thai Sauce:

1 tbsp Tamarind paste

2 tbsp soy sauce

2 tbsp Brown sugar

2 tsp red chili sauce(can be substituted with 1 tsp red chili powder in absence of red chili sauce)

Method

Mix all the ingredients of pad Thai sauce in a bowl and microwave for 30 seconds.The sauce should have more of a sweet and spicy taste.

Cut tofu into long strips and marinate in pad Thai sauce for about 30 minutes.

Soak Rice Noodles in a bowl of hot water for 6- 10 minutes.Drain and rinse with cold water.

Heat oil in a pan and roast groundnuts on medium heat till golden brown,set aside.Take care not to burn them.

Heat 1 tbsp oil in a non stick pan.Take tofu pieces out of marinade and sear them in hot pan,cook till golden brown on both sides.Set aside.

Add 2 tbsp oil to same pan and cook garlic paste till it gets light brown.Add chopped onion and cook till it becomes transparent,add grated carrot to it and cook for 2 min on high flame.

Add 2 lightly beaten eggs(if using) to onion mixture above and cook till they are lightly scrambled for 1-2 minutes.

Add drained noodles to the pan mix in the remaining pad Thai sauce carefully using 2 spatulas(like you toss salad).Stir fry for about 2-3 minutes on high flame till evenly mixed.

Add cooked tofu pieces to noodles,mix.Check salt.

Serve hot garnished with roasted groundnuts and finely chopped coriander leaves.