Shrimp / Prawn Pad Thai (Spice I Am Restaurant Recipe)

This is an authentic recipe for Pad Thai from the Spice I Am cookbook, one of the most critically acclaimed Thai restaurants in Sydney. This is a very traditional recipe for those who like truly authentic Thai street food as the dried shrimp flavour is stronger than what you get in westernised Pad Thai recipes. For something more like what you get at mainstream Thai restaurants, use this Everyday Pad Thai recipe. 

Ingredients

• 5 oz / 150 g dried Pad Thai rice noodles ((Note 1))
• 4 tbsp vegetable oil
• 12 raw shrimp ((prawns), shelled and deveined (Note 2))
• 1 small red shallot (, finely sliced (Note 3))
• 3 oz / 80 g firm tofu (, cut into small matchsticks)
• 1.75 oz / 50 g dried shrimp ((Note 4))
• 1/4 cup fish sauce
• 2 tbsp palm sugar ((or brown sugar))
• 2 tbsp tamarind puree ((Note 5))
• 1 tsp white vinegar
• 1/2 tsp + chili powder (, to taste (Note 6))
• 2 eggs (, lightly beaten)
• 1.5 oz / 45 g roasted unsalted peanuts (, finely ground)
• 5 oz / 150 g bean sprouts
• 2 tbsp garlic chives (, cut into 3/4" / 2cm lengths)
• 1 tsp white sugar
• Lime wedges (, to serve)

Instructions

1. 1

   Place the rice noodles in a bowl and cover with lukewarm water and set aside for 1 hour. (Note 7) Drain then set aside.

2. 2

   Heat 2 tbsp of the oil in a wok or large heavy based fry pan over medium heat. Add the prawns and cook until they just change colour. (Note 8) Remove from the wok and set aside.

3. 3

   Add the shallot and stir fry for 2 minutes. Then add the tofu, dried shrimp, fish sauce, palm sugar and tamarind puree and cook for 1 minute until the sugar has dissolved.

4. 4

   Add the rice noodles, vinegar and 2 tsp chili powder and stir fry for 2 minutes.

5. 5

   Turn the heat down to low and push the noodles to one side. Add the remaining 2 tbsp of oil into the wok then the egg.

6. 6

   Push the noodles over the egg and stir, scraping the base of the wok so the egg scrambles and mixes in with the noodles.

7. 7

   Remove from heat. Add half the peanuts, most of the bean sprouts, garlic chives, prawns and toss gently.

8. 8

   Transfer to serving platter. Sprinkle with white sugar and remaining peanuts. Serve immediately with lime wedges on the side and sprinkled with extra chili powder, if desired.