Chicken Pad Thai for One

Pad Thai, a staple of the Thai cuisine, is beloved for its complex flavors and textures. It's a dish that balances sweet, sour, salty, and umami, often with a hint of spice. While it's a common street food in Thailand, it has gained popularity worldwide, and many enjoy it at local Thai restaurants. However, the beauty of Pad Thai is that it's surprisingly simple to make at home, even for one.

The key to an authentic Pad Thai experience is in the sauce. A good Pad Thai sauce can be a game-changer, and once you've mastered it, you can store it in the refrigerator for months, ready to transform your noodles at a moment's notice. Creating Pad Thai at home allows you to adjust the flavors to your liking, making it as sweet or as spicy as you prefer. It's a dish that's both comforting and exciting, perfect for a quiet meal or a festive occasion. With this recipe, you can bring a taste of Thailand into your home, any day of the week.

Here's a guide to creating a single serving of Chicken Pad Thai, complete with a homemade sauce that will bring the essence of Thailand to your kitchen. Enjoy your culinary adventure!

Ingredients:

- 4 oz. chicken (or tofu for a vegetarian option)

- 4 oz. fresh rice noodles (or dry, if preferred)

- 1 egg

- 1/4 cup Pad Thai sauce (recipe below) mixed with 2 tbsp water

- 1 ½ cups beansprouts

- 3 stalks of chives, cut into 2-inch sections

- A handful of chopped basil and cilantro

- 1 tbsp roasted crushed peanuts

- A wedge of lime or lemon

- Oil for stir-frying

- 1 garlic clove, minced

- 1 tsp minced shallots

Directions:

1. Prepare the noodles according to the package instructions if using dry, or soak fresh noodles in water for 15 minutes and then drain.

2. Marinate the chicken slices in 1 tablespoon of Pad Thai sauce for 15 minutes.

3. Heat oil in a wok, then sauté garlic and shallots until fragrant, about 1 minute.

4. Add the chicken and cook until no longer pink, then push to the side of the wok.

5. Crack the egg into the wok, placing the noodles on top of the egg, then pour over the sauce and stir-fry briefly. Add a little water if the mixture seems dry.

6. Toss in the beansprouts and chives, stirring quickly to combine.

7. Serve the Pad Thai garnished with basil, cilantro, roasted peanuts, and a wedge of lime or lemon.

Pad Thai Sauce ingredients:

- 1 cup tamarind juice

- 1 cup sugar

- 1/2 cup fish sauce (or soy sauce for a vegan alternative)

- 1/2 cup chopped shallot

- 1/2 cup chopped garlic

- 1/4 cup oil

Making the Sauce:

1. In a pot, heat oil and sauté shallots and garlic until fragrant.

2. Remove the aromatics from the pan, then melt the sugar in the same pot.

3. Stir in the fish sauce and tamarind juice, then return the shallots and garlic to the pot.

4. Bring the mixture to a boil and cook for 3 minutes, adjusting the flavor to ensure it's not too salty, sour, or sweet.