Looks good, right? Sadly… No. This was my first attempt at making Pad Thai for my Foodie Bucket List and I did so much wrong! Was it edible? Absolutely. But there were so many mistakes!!! Instead of hiding them in shame I am going to make sure you do not make them too.
Tamarind Paste
To make authentic Pad Thai you absolutely must make your own tamarind paste and if you do, do NOT use a food mill! There is no point. The seeds are so large you will not get anything from it.
Also, make sure your strainer is over a container that is much bigger than the strainer.
Or this ugly mess will happen. Ugh! What was I thinking???
Dried Shrimp
Do not cheap out and get the puny $1.99 dried shrimp. They did not provide enough seafood flavour.
I paid $3.99 for these but OMG, they were hard as rock! So either use a food processor to chop them up or soften in a little water first.
The Noodles
In Hot Thai Kitchen’s video for making Pad Thai she says use fresh rice noodles if you can find them. Which I did! And it was a big mistake.
Her method requires adding water and really cooking the noodles into the dish which made them over-cook and fall apart.
Also, get the right side noodles which is not easy! Vermicelli is too thin, these are too thick. Keep looking for those Goldilocks noodles.
The Pan
My friend Tone mentioned if I did not have a wok to use a frying pan and he was absolutely right. Using the braising pan encouraged the liquid to remain which aided in those over-cooked noodles and prevented the sauce from intensifying.
Kind of close but truly… So far away from real deal Pad Thai!
The good news? I learned a lot and did a much better job the next time I tried which I will share with you soon.
Well, live and learn! I haven’t had a decent pad thai since I left Winnipeg 20 years ago, despite Edmonton having a few good Thai restaurants.
I hear you Debra. I haven’t had one since I left Toronto! Only get to have it when I get home to visit. It’s so frustrating, isn’t it?