Saturday, September 20, 2008

Vegan Pad Thai and Thai Travel Dreams

I love Thai food. There aren't really that many great vegan (not drenched in fish sauce) options in my immediate area. If I'm in NYC, I love to eat at Pukk, but if I'm craving Thai food at home, I make my own Pad Thai. I use A Taste of Thai rice noodles and A Taste of Thai Pad Thai sauce (Yes, I cheat. It's so much easier than making my own!). As the noodles are cooking, I lightly fry the tofu. Once the noodles are ready, I add them to the frying pan and stir in chopped peanuts. Once it's all hot and cooked, I turn off the heat and add the sauce. I'm no expert, but I'm pretty sure Pad Thai sauce usually consists of palm sugar, tamarind juice, a salty soy sauce (traditionally a salty fish sauce) and some chili powder or paprika for heat. Usually I also add in scallions, but I didn't have any on hand the other day. Right before it's ready to go on a plate, I add chopped cilantro, bean sprouts, and some freshly squeezed lime juice. It's pretty easy to make when the sauce is all ready before hand, and it's really good!

Now if only I could afford to eat vegan Pad Thai in Thailand...

11 comments:

Anonymous said...

Your thai pictures have me feeling all dreamy! One of my "must do before I turn 40" trips is go at least once! I also think Thai is my favorite cuisine!

Maria Rose said...

Yes, Thai food! I just found a Thai restaurant here in Denver and they have several dishes labeled vegan. I can't wait to try them all!

Theresa said...

Yum, I spent 4 weeks in Thailand as an undergrad and I ate so much yummy vegetarian food (this was in my pregan days). There were so many varieties of mushrooms I've never heard of, greens, amazing ways to cook tofu... the possibilities were endless! Still, there is something about pad thai that makes me want to eat it every day.

My Life, My Style said...

Thailand is one of my favorite places in the world. The food, the beaches... everything about it is amazing!!!

ChocolateCoveredVegan said...

Along with NYC, I think Thailand is one of my two favorite locations ever. But I've only been lucky enough to go once... now you have me dreaming of all the amazing coconut curries and such that I ate there!

Bianca said...

Wow! Thailand is so pretty! I just wanna jump in that gorgeous water and go swimming!

As for the pad thai, I like to cheat on that one too!

Anonymous said...

I can't get over those Thailand pics. I know several people from Thailand; I should ask them to see more pictures!

Great job on the Pad Thai! It's awesome when you can make restaurant favorites at home.

Anonymous said...

Oh my gosh, I *LOVE* A Taste of Thai products. Try their red curry paste + coconut milk = fish-free red curry!

Green Eyes, Green Heart said...

That pad thai looks so incredible!! Do I sense a recipe...? :)
~Erin @ "Vegan & the City"

urban vegan said...

I love Pad Thai, too. and Thailand is also on my travel wish list.

Try Isa's Brooklyn Pad Thai recipe from Vegan With a Vengeance, if you haven't already.

Vegan_Noodle said...

THat is one delicious looking pad thai! Oh and your pictures are gorgeous... Thailand is a place I would love to be able to visit!