Pad thai can be considered Thai food for beginners.
Pad thai can be considered Thai food for beginners. The reason for this is that it contains a variety of vibrant flavors stacked on top of the stir-fried noodles at its base. The noodles used for this delicious dish can be regular wheat noodles, but the most authentic kind uses rice noodles. Here are several different types of Pad thai you can treat your family to tonight.
Pad Thai Gai
This version of pad thai features stir-fried noodles and plenty of chicken heaped on top. You’ll also find it drizzled with sauce and covered in basil and peanuts for that extra delightful crunch. Although the dish contains sweet and sour flavors at the same time, it’s expertly balanced, so it won’t be too unpleasant even if you’ve been hesitant to try it. Plus, with the approach of fall and winter, it’s time to think of a new spin on that age-old favorite: the chicken/noodle combination. It doesn’t just have to be in a soup!
With Shrimp
Rice noodles are naturally gluten-free, so if anyone in your family or your party has a sensitivity to gluten, this is a great way to let them enjoy some delicious pad thai. The protein is switched out with chicken and garnished with bean sprouts, green onions, and lime.
Vegetarian Style
Although pad thai is usually dressed up with some type of meat or seafood (and you can order it with everything), it’s entirely possible to have a vegetarian version too. This version is much lighter and substitutes eggs in as the protein components. For any vegans in your party, you can leave the eggs out as well. You only need some crushed nuts and sauteed bok choy to give this flavorful dish even more dimensions.
River Noodles
Known as Pad See Ew, river noodles got their name from the appearance of the noodles themselves. You see, the rice noodles used for this dish are wide and flat, unlike the noodles featured in the other items on this list. Chicken, pork, and beef are the usual meat toppings, but you also add some spinach or some other Asian greens if you would like.
With Peanuts
Crushed peanuts are one of the finishing touches used for most plates of pad thai that you will see in a restaurant. But it’s also possible to make noodles using peanuts instead of peanut butter. Complement the noodles with chicken or tofu, and you have a unique version to enjoy.
With Coconuts
For the seafood lovers in your group, try the coconut noodles. Rice and egg noodles are flavored with coconuts and topped with shrimp, chicken, scallops, squid, and fish.
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