Shrimp Pad Thai

Directions

• The meat used may be either fresh shrimps, chicken, pork, or combinations. The traditional uses dried shrimps and hard tofu pieces rather than fresh meat.

Soak the noodles for 20 to 25 minutes in enough warm water to cover. They should be soft, but not so soft that they can be mashed easily with the fingers. Later cooking will soften them more. Drain the noodles thoroughly in a colander while preparing the other ingredients. Traditionally, they are left in full length strands, but you may cut them into shorter lengths (about 8 to 9 inches, say) to facilitate easier stir frying.

Peel and devein the shrimps, leaving the tails intact, OR slice the chicken/pork across the grain into strips not more than ⅛ inch thick and 1 to 2 inches long.

Mix the fish sauce, sugar, vinegar, and tomato paste in a bowl. Stir until the sugar is dissolved. Set the mixture aside. Slice the scallions, both white and green parts, diagonally into pieces 1½ inches long. Set aside.

Heat a wok, and add the vegetable oil to the hot wok. Swirl the oil to coat the surface of the wok. Add garlic and fry until golden. Add shrimp and fry until they turn pink, or if chicken/pork is used, fry until the pink color disappears completely. Add the noodles and toss lightly to coat them with oil and to distribute the garlic and meat. Add the liquid mixed earlier and bring to a boil rapidly, gently folding the noodle, being careful not to break them. Reduce the heat to medium and boil the mixture, folding frequently, until the noodles have absorbed the liquid. Using a wok scoop, or a stiff spatula, lift the noodles gently from one side of the wok. Pour a little oil along the side of the wok, then break one egg and slip it into the oil. Break the yolk, and cover the egg with the noodles immediately. Repeat this on the opposite side of the wok with the remaining egg. Allow the eggs to cook undisturbed, over moderate heat, until they set and almost dry. Additional oil may be added if the eggs or the noodles begin to stick to the wok. When the eggs are set and almost dry, fold them gently but rapidly into the noodles. Try not to break the noodles, which will be soft and fragile at this point. An effective way is to insert the scoop under the eggs, lift it through, and fold the mixture over.

Continue the lifting and folding motion until the eggs are broken up and well distributed. Add the bean sprouts and sliced scallions, and toss the mixture quickly and gently, still avoiding breaking the noodles. Cook for about 2 minutes, or until the bean sprouts and scallions are crisp-tender. Place the mixture on a large, warm serving platter. Sprinkle ground chilies and peanuts over the top, and squeeze lime juice over that. Alternately, these garnishes may be served on the side for each diner to add according to tastes.

NOTES:

Pad Thai is traditionally served accompanied with fresh vegetables, in particular whole scallion, a small pile of fresh raw bean sprouts (to be mixed into the noodles), and if available, a wedge of banana blossom.

For the traditional recipe, omit the shrimps, pork/chicken, and all references to them. Substitute ½ pound very firm tofu and ¼ pound dried shrimps. Put the tofu on a triple layers of paper towels, cover it with another triple layer, put a plate on top of that, and put a two pound weight (cans of vegetables for an example) on top of the plate. Let stand for 20 to 30 minutes to press out the excess water. Put the dried shrimp in a sieve, rinse them quickly under hot running water, and set aside to drain. After the tofu has been pressed, slice it into strips about ¼ inch thick, ½ inch wide and 1 inch long.