Pad Thai with Spring Veggies

Pad Thai with Spring Veggies

Pad thai can be a quick and easy recipe you can rely on for last minute entertaining. My pad thai recipe is one of my favorites – I learned it some years ago when I lived in Chinatown, NYC.  

I love using local veggies to make my pad thai taste fresh and flavorful.  Today, I am adding some asparagus. scallions, and ramps to my recipe.  

This entree works great with a papaya or mango salad.

Ingredients:  

1 package cups rice noodles

4 cups of your favorite vegetables, chopped

1 package of tofu, sliced and seared

4 garlic cloves. diced

1/4 cup scallions

1/8 cup tamarind paste
1/4 cup hot water
2 tablespoons honey

4 eggs

1 tablespoon hot pepper flakes

1 tablespoon fish sauce

1 tablespoon soy sauce

1/2 cup combination of herbs, such as cilantro, mint, and basil, finely chopped

1/2 cup roasted peanuts, chopped

1 tablespoon sesame oil

2 limes, sliced

Directions:

1.  Soak the rice noodles for an hour or two in warm water, then strain.  Set aside.
2.  Coat and heat a large skillet  or wok with sesame oil.

3.  Add chopped vegetable, garlic, hot pepper flakes and scallions, then toss while cooking for approximately 2-3 minutes on high heat.

4.  Scramble eggs with other ingredients in wok, while tossing.

5.  Dissolve tamarind paste and honey in water, then slowly add to wok mixture while tossing.

6.  Add the softened noodles to mixture, then keep tossing until ingredients are mixed and noodles have soft consistency. 

7.  Serve on platter, top with seared tofu, then garnish with freshly picked herbs, limes and peanuts.
Serves 6 people

Shopping in Chinatown, NYC

Chinatown, NYC

Taking the D express train to Grand Street Station will get you to the upper part of Chinatown in Manhattan.  Here, fruit and vegetable markets line the streets as well Asian groceries that carry a variety of spices, nuts, noodles, rice, dumplings, and soy products.  I find it both relaxing and adventurous to walk the streets and experience the vast selection of foods and flavors.  At my favorite Malaysian market on Bowery, between Broome and Grand Street,  you can pick up a variety of south-east Asian hot and spicy relishes, referred to as sambals.  Across the Street on Grand and Bowery, there is a little shop on the corner, where you can buy freshly made rice noodles, taro root cakes and soy milk.  

Fruit and Vegetable Market on Grand Street

 

Noodle Shop on Grand and Bowery