Quick Pad Thai for the Holidays

Photo by Sharon Ang via Pixabay

One of the best parts of the holidays is the wonderful food we get to overindulge on. It's always fun to have a big, multi-course feast, with the delicious tradition of turkey, mashed potatoes and gravy, green beans, coleslaw, and some kind of pie -- especially pumpkin or chocolate cream pie -- or even ice cream for dessert. But sometimes it's fun to mix it up for the holidays. If you're ready to try something new, then read on for a holiday secret.

Whether you're cooking for two or twenty, you should make quick Pad Thai this holiday season. Pad Thai, also known is Phad Thai or Phat Thai, is a dish that originated in Thailand. It is often served as street food, but there are many Asian restaurants in the US today that serve this delicious dish as a main course. Though there are differences in how Pad Thai is made -- with or without meat or peanuts -- the dish is typically made with dried rice noodles, beansprouts, egg, and chicken and/or tofu.

Our recipe will serve four people and can be on the table in just under 15 minutes. All you need is five minutes of prep time and ten minutes of cook time. Plus, it's so easy a novice could make it.

Ingredients

• 1/2 pack of rice noodles - typically, 7.05 oz
• 1/2 pack of frozen peas - approximately 5.0 oz 
• 2 tbsp sunflower oil
• 3.5 oz of beansprouts
• small bunch spring onions, sliced
• 2 eggs - beaten thoroughly
• 3 tbsp roasted peanuts
• 2 tbsp soy sauce
• 2 tbsp sweet chilli sauce
• small bundle of coriander, leaves only

*If someone in the group has a peanut allergy, then you can leave the roasted peanuts off of the dish. They add taste and texture but are not necessary!

In addition to the above ingredients, you can choose to make this meal either with or without meat. It is most common to make Pad Thai with tofu, chicken, or prawns, but if you want to make it especially seasonal, you can also make it with turkey! Use approximately 7.05 oz of whatever meat or meat substitute you choose.

Recipe

1. Bring a pot of water to boil. Then add the noodles to the boiling pot of water, and cook them for 2 minutes.
2. Add the peas to the boiling noodles for 1 additional minute. (If you are using prawns in this dish, add the prawns in during this minute, as well.)
3. Drain the pot of noodles and peas, and set them aside.
4. Heat oil in a large frying pan.
5. Add the spring onions and meat (or meat substitute). Cook until done to your liking.
6. Add the noodles, peas, and bean sprouts to the meat and onions. Cook for an additional 2-3 minutes, adding additional oil if it seems too dry.
7. Move everything to one side to make space in the pan. Then fry the egg in that space.
8. Once the egg is cooked, stir everything together.
9. Add the peanuts, soy sauce, and sweet chilli sauce.
10. Before serving, sprinkle the coriander on top.
11. Enjoy!