Fried rice noodles
This is my easy take on the famous Thai peanut noodle dish, Pad Thai. You vary the ingredients as you like and make it as spicy as you choose.
1 pkg. wide rice sticks- size XL
1/4 cup sweet asian chili sauce
2 Tbsp. fish sauce
1 red bell pepper, thinly sliced
1 bunch green onions, cut in half lenghtwise and then into 2-3 inch lenghs
2 or more serrano chilis, thinkly sliced long wise (I use a knife and fork to do this as if I were eating a steak)
1 bunch asparagus spears, bottom 1/3 trimmed and halved lenghtwise (see note)
1/3 cup roasted peanuts
1 Tbsp. minced ginger
1 Tbsp. minced garlic
4 Tbsp. vegetable oil
lime wedges
chopped cilantro for garnish
note: you can substitute or use in addition snowpeas, shredded carrots, beansprouts, etc.
Stirfry shrimp, tofu or chicken as the first step and remove, then add back to pot with sauces to make a full meal in one bowl.
Prep all vegetables to uniform 2-3 inch long pieces. Half if over about 1/4 inch in diameter.
Soak rice noodles in very hot tap water until semi-soft, about 20 minutes. Drain in colander, rinse well with cold running water and allow to drain very well. Place nuts in a plastic sandwich bag and roughly crush with a meat mallot.
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Heat oil over high heat in a large wok or 12 inch NONSTICK! pan. Add vegetables except for scallions and sprouts if using and stirfry for about 3 minutes. Now add the garlic and ginger and cook for one minute more. Now add the scallions and sprouts and toss for one minute or so.
 raw rice noodles |
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 add noodles |
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Next, add the noodles by handful, turning and tossing with tongs or a spatula. They will shrink down some as they cook in the pan. Keep flipping and mixing gently, exposing all the noodles to the pan so they can cook and become somewhat sticky and all opaque. When they look like you've fried them all - about 5-7 minutes- add the sauces and some of the peanuts to the pan and stirfry to coat well. Serve in a large bowl garnished with more peanuts and chopped cilantro if desired. Squeeze fresh lime juice on it on your plate before eating.
