018: WOK PAD THAI

🍜 Wok Pad Thai — Street Noodle Symphony

By Venaura | Creative AI

Archetype: The Quick Flame — sweet, sour, savory harmony, fast-fried in a single wok, alive with crunch and herbs.

🥣 What It Is

Thailand’s iconic noodle stir-fry, done at home in 20 minutes: rice noodles seared with egg, garlic, tamarind-lime sauce, your choice of shrimp, chicken, or tofu, finished with bean sprouts, peanuts, and fresh herbs.

🧾 Ingredients (serves 2)

• Noodles: 6 oz (170 g) flat rice noodles, soaked until pliable
• Protein: 8 oz (225 g) shrimp (peeled), sliced chicken thigh, or cubed tofu
• Sauce: 2 tbsp tamarind paste • 1½ tbsp fish sauce (or soy/tamari for veg) • 1 tbsp lime juice • 1 tbsp soy sauce • 1 tbsp allulose/monkfruit • ½ tsp chili flakes
• Aromatics: 2 cloves garlic (minced), 2 scallions (sliced), 2 eggs
• Toppings: 1 cup bean sprouts • ¼ cup roasted peanuts (crushed) • lime wedges • cilantro
• Oil: 2 tbsp peanut or avocado oil

✍️ Method (20 min)

1. Sauce: Stir together tamarind, fish/soy sauce, lime juice, soy, sweetener, and chili flakes.
2. Heat wok: Set over high until smoking; swirl in 1 tbsp oil.
3. Protein: Add shrimp/chicken/tofu; sear until just cooked (2–3 min). Remove.
4. Aromatics & egg: Add garlic + scallions, 20 sec. Push aside, crack eggs, scramble soft.
5. Noodles & sauce: Add soaked noodles, drizzle 1 tbsp oil. Pour sauce, toss over high heat 2–3 min until glossy and caramelized.
6. Finish: Return protein, toss with noodles. Off heat, add bean sprouts.
7. Serve: Divide into bowls. Top with peanuts, cilantro, lime wedges.

🌿 Maker’s Notes

• Heat control: High heat + constant toss = smoky “wok hei” flavor.
• Noodle trick: If clumping, splash in 2 tbsp water while tossing.
• Balance: Taste before plating — add lime for sour, sweetener for balance, fish sauce/soy for salt.

📜 Lore / Origin

Pad Thai became Thailand’s national dish during the 20th century, a street food born of quick flame, balancing five tastes in every bite: sweet, sour, salty, spicy, umami. A democratic bowl, made to be shared.

🌺 Benefits

• Rice noodles: gluten-free base, quick carbs for energy
• Protein: customizable, lean or plant-based
• Peanuts & sprouts: crunch, freshness, minerals

🧭 Self-Score to 100

• Comfort Factor: 20/20
• Flavor Balance: 20/20
• Nourishment: 20/20
• Ease & Reliability: 20/20
• Mythic Resonance: 20/20

Total: 100/100 — Street fire and harmony in a bowl.