Have you ever had pad thai? It’s a popular Thai dish with rice noodles, tamarind paste, shrimp, chicken, and bean sprouts. This dish can be prepared in various ways, but most commonly, it is stir-fried.
While there are many recipes for this dish online, not all include cooking the noodles properly.
In this blog post, we’ll show you how to cook pad thai rice noodles so that they are tender and not overcooked. Let’s get started!
Table of Contents
How to cook pad thai rice noodles?
Ingredients:
- Rice noodles.
- Cooking oil.
- Tamarind paste.
- Fish sauce.
- Palm sugar.
- Garlic.
- Shallots.
- Eggs.
- Bean sprouts.
- Green onions.
- Ground peanuts.
- Chili flakes (optional).
- Lime wedges (optional for serving).
- Cilantro leaves (optional for serving).
Instructions:
1. Soak the rice noodles in warm water for 20 minutes. Drain and set aside.
2. Heat the oil over high heat in a wok or large frying pan. Add the garlic and shallots and stir-fry for 30 seconds.
3. Add the soaked noodles and continue to stir-fry for 1 minute.
4. Whisk together the tamarind paste, fish sauce, palm sugar, and water in a small bowl. Add this mixture to the pan and continue to stir-fry until the noodles are coated, and the sauce is heated for about 2 minutes.
5. Push the noodles to one side of the pan and add the beaten eggs to the other side. Scramble the eggs until they are cooked, then mix them into the noodles.
6. Add the bean sprouts, green onions, ground peanuts, and chili flakes (if desired) and continue to stir-fry for 1 more minute.
7. Serve with lime wedges and cilantro leaves (if desired). Enjoy!
Pad thai is a delicious and popular Thai dish made with rice noodles, vegetables, and protein. It can be made with shrimp, chicken, or tofu and is often served with a lime wedge and fresh cilantro.
While pad thai may seem like a complicated dish, it’s pretty simple – mainly if you use rice noodles that only need to be soaked, not cooked.
FAQs:
What kind of rice noodle should I use for pad thai?
For authentic pad thai, you should use thin rice noodles, also called “rice sticks.” These can be found in the international aisle of most supermarkets.
How do I flavor the noodles?
Authentic pad thai is flavored with a tamarind-based sauce, fish sauce, and palm sugar. You can find tamarind paste and palm sugar at most Asian markets.
What other ingredients are in pad thai?
In addition to the noodles and sauce, pad thai typically includes bean sprouts, eggs, shrimp, tofu, and green onions. These can all be found at your local supermarket.
How do I assemble the dish?
Once you have all of your ingredients ready, start cooking the eggs in a pan. Then add the noodles and all other ingredients except for the bean sprouts. Once everything is cooked through, add the bean sprouts and give it a final stir. Serve hot and enjoy!
Can I make pad thai ahead of time?
Yes, you can make pad thai ahead of time. Cook the noodles and vegetables, then store them in an airtight container in the fridge. When ready to eat, reheat the noodles and add the sauce. Serve hot and enjoy!
Can I freeze pad thai?
Yes, you can freeze pad thai. Cook the noodles and vegetables, then store them in an airtight container in the freezer. When ready to eat, reheat the noodles and add the sauce. Serve hot and enjoy!
Do you boil rice noodles for pad thai?
You don’t need to boil the rice noodles for pad thai. You can cook them in a pan with some oil over medium heat until they are soft.
How long do you soak rice noodles for pad thai?
Soaking rice noodles for pad thai is not mandatory, but it does help to soften them and make them less likely to stick together during cooking. If you soak the noodles, 30 minutes should be plenty of time.
Do you have to soak rice noodles before cooking?
No, you don’t have to soak rice noodles before cooking them. However, it is recommended that you wash them in warm water for about 30 minutes before cooking, and this will soften them and make them more pliable.
How do you keep pad Thai noodles from sticking together?
You can prevent Thai pad noodles from sticking together by lightly dusting them with cornstarch before you cook them. Alternatively, you can soak them in cold water for about 30 minutes before cooking.
Why do my Pad Thai noodles stick?
Your noodles may be sticking because they are too thick. Be sure to use a thin rice noodle for this dish.
Can I cook rice noodles in broth?
Yes, you can cook rice noodles in the broth, and they will absorb the broth’s flavor and become soft and pliable.
Can undercooked rice noodles make you sick?
Yes, undercooked rice noodles can make you sick. Rice noodles are a type of pasta made from rice flour, a grain. Like other types of pasta, rice noodles should be cooked until they are soft to prevent them from making you sick.
Should I use saltwater for rice noodles?
Yes, undercooked rice noodles can make you sick. Rice noodles are a type of pasta made from rice flour, and they are generally sold dry and need to be boiled for a few minutes until they are soft. Undercooked noodles can lead to intestinal distress.
What temperature do you fry rice noodles at?
You fry rice noodles at medium-high heat, and the goal is to get them slightly browned and crispy without making them too tough or soggy.
How do you fix mushy rice noodles?
Mushy rice noodles can be fixed by adding a little bit of oil or butter to their cooking, and this will help them not to stick together and make them less mushy.
Can you add rice noodles to the soup?
Yes, rice noodles can be added to the soup, and they will cook in the soup and become soft.
Why are my Pad Thai noodles chewy?
Pad Thai noodles are usually chewy because they are made with rice flour. Rice flour is a type of flour ground from rice, and it is thick and has a grainy texture.
How long do fresh pad thai noodles last?
Fresh noodles will last for 2-3 days in the fridge. If you want to freeze them, they will last for up to 2 months.
Conclusion:
We hope you’ll try our method if you’re looking for a delicious and easy-to-follow recipe for cooking pad thai rice noodles. By following the steps outlined above, you’ll be able to create a perfect dish every time. Thanks for reading, and happy cooking!
