Pad Woon Sen Recipe: A Delicious and Easy-to-Make Thai Glass Noodle Dish
Pad woon sen, a vibrant and flavorful Thai dish featuring glass noodles, is a culinary delight that's surprisingly easy to make at home. This recipe provides a step-by-step guide to crafting this delectable meal, perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or a fun weekend cooking project. Let's dive into the ingredients and instructions!
Ingredients You'll Need:
This recipe serves 2-3 people. Adjust quantities as needed for larger servings.
- Noodles: 8 oz (225g) dried cellophane noodles (woon sen)
- Protein: 8 oz (225g) cooked protein of your choice (chicken, shrimp, tofu, or pork are all excellent options). Cut into bite-sized pieces.
- Vegetables:
- 1 cup bean sprouts
- 1/2 cup shredded carrots
- 1/2 cup chopped scallions (both white and green parts)
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1-2 red chilies, finely sliced (adjust to your spice preference)
- 1/4 cup chopped cilantro, for garnish
- Sauce:
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon fish sauce (optional, but adds depth of flavor)
- 1 tablespoon oyster sauce (optional, adds umami)
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
Instructions: Prepare Your Pad Woon Sen
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Prepare the Noodles: Soak the dried cellophane noodles in warm water for about 15-20 minutes, or until completely softened and translucent. Drain well and set aside. Important: Don't over-soak, or they will become mushy.
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Stir-Fry the Aromatics: Heat 1 tablespoon of oil in a wok or large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the minced garlic and chilies, stir-frying for about 30 seconds until fragrant.
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Add the Protein and Vegetables: Add your chosen protein to the wok and stir-fry for 2-3 minutes until heated through. Then, add the carrots and stir-fry for another minute.
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Combine and Simmer: Add the soaked cellophane noodles and bean sprouts to the wok. Pour the sauce over the noodles and stir-fry everything together for 2-3 minutes, allowing the sauce to coat the noodles evenly and the vegetables to slightly soften.
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Garnish and Serve: Remove from heat and garnish with chopped scallions and cilantro. Serve immediately and enjoy your delicious homemade Pad Woon Sen!
Tips for the Perfect Pad Woon Sen:
- Noodle Choice: Cellophane noodles are key to this dish. Don't substitute with other types of noodles.
- Protein Options: Feel free to experiment with different proteins to suit your taste.
- Spice Level: Adjust the amount of chili to your preferred level of spiciness.
- Sauce Variations: You can customize the sauce to your liking by adding more or less of any ingredient. A squeeze of lime juice at the end adds a nice touch.
- Fresh Ingredients: Using fresh ingredients will significantly enhance the flavor of your Pad Woon Sen.
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This recipe is designed to be both delicious and easily replicated, offering a satisfying culinary experience. Enjoy!