22-Minute Pad Thai

22-minute meals takeout at home southeast asian thai kid-friendly quick & easy shrimp noodle small plates

Mindy Fox

4 Servings

Ingredients

8 ounces dried, flat, linguine-width rice noodles (preferably Annie Chun's or Thai Kitchen; also called pad Thai noodles or stir-fry rice noodles)

1/4 cup fish sauce (such as nam pla or nuoc nam)

1/4 cup tamarind juice concentrate, or 2 tablespoons tamarind paste mixed with 2 tablespoons water

3 tablespoons (packed) dark brown sugar

2 teaspoons chili-garlic sauce, plus more for serving

3 tablespoons vegetable oil

4 large eggs, beaten to blend

3/4 pound peeled and deveined medium shrimp

1 bunch scallions, green and white parts separated, coarsely chopped

2 cups mung bean sprouts (about 1/3 pound), plus more for serving

1/4 cup roasted, salted peanuts, coarsely chopped, plus more for serving

Coarsely chopped fresh cilantro (for serving)

Lime wedges (for serving)

Method

Place noodles in a medium heatproof bowl. Add boiling water to cover and let stand, stirring frequently, until soft and pliable but not tender, 5–10 minutes (depending on brand). Drain; set aside.

Meanwhile, whisk fish sauce, tamarind concentrate, sugar, 2 tsp. chili-garlic sauce, and 1/4 cup hot water in another medium bowl.

Heat oil in a wok or large skillet (at least 12" in diameter) over medium-high. Add eggs and shrimp and cook, stirring constantly, until shrimp begin to turn pink, about 1 minute. Add scallion whites, fish sauce mixture, and reserved noodles. Cook, stirring frequently, until sauce is mostly absorbed and noodles are well coated, about 3 minutes. Add scallion greens, 2 cups bean sprouts, and 1/4 cup peanuts and cook until heated through, about 1 minute more.

Divide noodle mixture among plates. Top with cilantro, bean sprouts, and peanuts and serve with lime wedges and chili-garlic sauce.