Vegetarian Pad Thai

Ingredients for Vegetarian Pad Thai

• 350g dried flat rice noodles (1/4 inch wide

• sometimes called pad Thai or banh pho)

• 45ml tamarind (from a pliable block)

• 240ml boiling-hot water

• 120ml light soy sauce

• 60ml packed light brown sugar

• 2 tablespoons Sriracha (Southeast Asian chilli sauce)

• 1 bunch spring onions

• 4 large shallots

• 1 (14- to 450g ) package firm tofu

• 350ml peanut or vegetable oil

• 6 large eggs

• 4 garlic cloves, finely chopped

• 2 cups bean sprouts (110g )

• 1/2 cup roasted peanuts, coarsely chopped

• Equipment: an adjustable-blade slicer

• a well-seasoned 14-inch flat-bottomed wok

• Accompaniments: lime wedges

• coriander sprigs

• Sriracha

How to make Vegetarian Pad Thai

Soak noodles in a large bowl of warm water until softened, 25 to 30 minutes. Drain well in a colander and cover with a dampened paper towel.

Meanwhile, make sauce by soaking tamarind pulp in boiling-hot water in a small bowl, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 5 minutes. Force mixture through a sieve into a bowl, discarding seeds and fibers. Add soy sauce, brown sugar, and Sriracha, stirring until sugar has dissolved.

Cut spring onions into 2-inch pieces. Halve pale green and white parts lengthwise.

Cut shallots crosswise into very thin slices with slicer.

Rinse tofu, then cut into 1-inch cubes and pat very dry.

Heat oil in wok over medium heat until hot, then fry half of shallots over medium-low heat, stirring frequently, until golden-brown, 8 to 12 minutes. Carefully strain mixture through a fine-mesh sieve into a heatproof bowl. Reserve shallot oil and spread fried shallots on paper towels. (Shallots will crisp as they cool.) Wipe wok clean.

Reheat shallot oil in wok over high heat until hot. Fry tofu in 1 layer, gently turning occasionally, until golden, 5 to 8 minutes. Transfer tofu to paper towels using a slotted spoon. Pour off frying oil and reserve.

Lightly beat eggs with 1/4 teaspoons salt. Heat 2 tablespoons shallot oil in wok over high heat until it shimmers. Add eggs and swirl to coat side of wok, then cook, stirring gently with a spatula, until cooked through. Break into chunks with spatula and transfer to a plate.

Heat wok over high heat until a drop of water evaporates instantly. Pour in 90ml shallot oil, then swirl to coat side of wok. Stir-fry spring onions, garlic, and remaining uncooked shallots until softened, about 1 minute.

Add noodles and stir-fry over medium heat (use 2 spatulas if necessary) 3 minutes. Add tofu, bean sprouts, and 1 1/2 cups sauce and simmer, turning noodles over to absorb sauce evenly, until noodles are tender, about 2 minutes.

Stir in additional sauce if desired, then stir in eggs and transfer to a large shallow serving dish.

Sprinkle pad Thai with peanuts and fried shallots and serve with lime wedges, coriander sprigs, and Sriracha.

Disclaimer

While every effort has been made to ensure the information is accurate and up to date, individual needs may vary and dietary requirements can differ based on personal health conditions. Always check food labels and allergen information before preparing or consuming any recipe. If you have specific health concerns, allergies, intolerances, or are following a medically prescribed diet, seek advice from your GP, pharmacist, or a registered dietitian before making significant changes to your diet or lifestyle.