Vegetable and tofu Pad See Ew

Pad See Ew is a popular Thai noodle dish that's easy to make at home. It's made with wide rice noodles, stir-fried with a savory sauce and your choice of vegetables and protein. This recipe uses broccoli, bell pepper, and tofu, but you can use any vegetables you like. The key to a great Pad See Ew is to use a good quality soy sauce and to cook the noodles until they're just tender.

Pad See Ew is a relatively new dish in the Thai culinary canon, only dating back to the 19th century. It's believed to have originated in central Thailand, and its name literally means "stir-fried soy sauce noodles." The dish is typically made with wide rice noodles, which are stir-fried with a savory sauce made from soy sauce, sugar, and tamarind paste. Other common ingredients include garlic, ginger, chili peppers, and vegetables such as broccoli, bell peppers, and carrots. Pad See Ew is often served with a side of lime wedges and fresh cilantro.

Prep time: 15 | Cook time: 10 | Serves: 4

Ingredients

• Pad see ew noodles
• Vegetable oil
• Garlic
• Ginger
• Broccoli florets
• Bell pepper
• Firm tofu
• Soy sauce

Instructions

1. Boil noodles according to package directions.
2. Heat oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat.
3. Add garlic and ginger; cook for 30 seconds, or until fragrant.
4. Add broccoli and bell pepper; cook until tender, about 5 minutes.
5. Press excess water from tofu and cut into cubes.
6. Add soy sauce and tofu to skillet; cook until heated through, about 2 minutes.
7. Add noodles to skillet and toss to combine.
8. Cook until noodles are heated through, about 1 minute.

Why It Works

• The use of a good quality soy sauce is essential for a flavorful Pad See Ew.
• Cooking the noodles until they're just tender prevents them from becoming mushy.
• Stir-frying the vegetables over high heat helps to develop their flavor and texture.