Thai fried noodles (1)

Yield: 3 servings

Ingredients:

1/2 lb Fresh rice noodles 10 md Shrimp

Instructions:

shelled deveined - cut into 1/2-inch slices -OR- substitute pork -OR- flat dried rice noodles 3 tb Fish sauce (nam pla) 1 c Fresh bean sprouts 1 tb Rice vinegar 1/3 c Oil 2 tb Light brown sugar 1 tb Minced garlic 2 tb Tomato ketchup 4 tb Minced shallots 1/2 ts -TO 2 ts Shrimp paste (kapee) 1 ts Chili powder (optional) 1 tb Chopped dried shrimp (opt.) 2 Eggs; lightly beaten ---------------------------------GARNISHES--------------------------------- 1/3 c Coarsely ground peanuts 2 tb Chopped coriander leaves -- (unsalted) 2 Limes; cut into wedges 1/2 ts Dried red chili flakes (opt) 1 sm Cucumber; sliced 2 Green onions; finely sliced If using dried rice noodles soak in hot water for 20 minutes before cooking. Drain. In 4 quarts boiling water cook fresh rice noodles 2 to 3 minutes or until just tender to the bite al dente. Drain. Rinse. Drain for 30 minutes or until dry. In boiling water blanch the bean sprouts for 30 seconds. Refresh under cold water. Drain. Heat oil. Fry garlic and shallots until golden. Add the shrimp paste and dried shrimp. Stir. Add the shrimp and stir-fry until done. Add the fish sauce vinegar sugar ketchup and chili powder. Stir until sugar dissolves. Add the beaten eggs and let them set slightly. Then stir to scramble. Add the noodles and toss for about 2 minutes. Place the Pad Thai on a platter. Sprinkle the noodles with peanuts chili flakes green onions and coriander. Arrange lime wedges around the edge of the platter. Serve with a side dish of fresh bean sprouts and cucumbers. (Yield: 3-4 serving) Source: The Southeast Asia Cookbook by Ruth Law From: stigle@cs.unca.edu (Sue Stigleman)