Discovering the Joy of Pad Thai
My Favorite is Colorful Veggie Pad Thai and I remember the first time I tasted Pad Thai; it was at a small Thai restaurant in the heart of the city. The rich flavors, the mix of textures, and the bright colors on the plate left an impression on me. I couldn’t stop thinking about how something so simple could taste so complex and satisfying. That day, I decided I would try to recreate that same magic at home, but with a twist – I wanted to make it even more vibrant and packed with fresh veggies.
Experimenting in My Kitchen
When I finally decided to make my own version, I went all out with the vegetables. I chose zucchini, red bell pepper, carrots, and a bit of yellow onion for a burst of color and nutrition. Using a spiralizer for the zucchini and carrots made them look like beautiful, edible ribbons. I also swapped out the regular noodles for brown rice noodles to keep it light and healthy. As I stirred the ingredients together in my pan, I could already see that this dish was going to be a feast for the eyes as well as the taste buds.
The Perfect Sauce and Toppings
The real star of Pad Thai, in my opinion, is the sauce. I carefully mixed together fish sauce, brown sugar, vegetable broth, soy sauce, and a touch of chili paste. The balance of salty, sweet, and spicy was just right. Pouring the sauce over the noodles and watching it coat everything was so satisfying. To top it all off, I added chopped peanuts and a generous handful of fresh herbs – cilantro, green onions, and basil. The aroma was heavenly, filling my kitchen with a comforting, inviting scent.
Sharing the Love
When I finally sat down to eat, I felt a sense of pride and joy. The dish was not only delicious but also beautiful, with all the vibrant colors and textures I had hoped for. I knew I had created something special, something that I wanted to share with others. Since then, Colorful Veggie Pad Thai has become a regular dish in my home, a reminder of how easy and fun it can be to make something healthy and delicious from scratch. Whenever I serve it to friends or family, I watch their eyes light up just like mine did on that first day.
Table of Contents
Chef’s Notes-Colorful Veggie Pad Thai
- Soak the brown rice noodles in cold water to prevent them from becoming too soft or mushy. This step ensures the noodles have the perfect texture when stir-fried.
- If you don’t have a spiralizer, thinly slicing the vegetables will work just as well. The key is to maintain uniformity in size for even cooking.
- When making the Pad Thai sauce, ensure all ingredients are well combined before adding to the pan. This helps to coat the noodles and veggies evenly with the sauce, giving the dish its rich flavor.
- Stir-fry the veggies on medium-high heat for a quick, crisp-tender texture. Overcooking will result in soggy vegetables, which can affect the dish’s overall appeal.
- Feel free to experiment with other vegetables or protein options like tofu, shrimp, or chicken. Adjust the amount of chili paste to match your preferred level of spiciness.
Colorful Veggie Pad Thai
Dive into a vibrant bowl of Colorful Veggie Pad Thai! This dish is packed with spiralized veggies, brown rice noodles, and a tangy Pad Thai sauce that comes together in minutes. Topped with fresh herbs and crunchy peanuts, it’s a feast for the eyes and the taste buds. Perfect for a quick, healthy, and satisfying meal!
4
plates10
minutes5
minutes350
kcal15
minutesKeep the screen of your device on
Ingredients
- Noodles and Veggies
4 ounces brown rice noodles (half a box)
1 medium zucchini, spiralized or julienned
1 red bell pepper, spiralized or thinly sliced
1/2 yellow onion, spiralized or thinly sliced
2 medium carrots, spiralized or finely chopped
- For Cooking
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 large egg, beaten
- Toppings
1/2 cup chopped peanuts
1/2 cup mixed fresh herbs (cilantro, green onions, basil), chopped
- Pad Thai Sauce
3 tablespoons fish sauce or vegan fish sauce substitute
3 tablespoons brown sugar or alternative sweetener
3 tablespoons vegetable broth or chicken broth
2 tablespoons white vinegar
1 tablespoon soy sauce
1 teaspoon chili paste (sambal oelek)
Directions
- Soak the uncooked brown rice noodles in cold water until softened (about 10 minutes).
- Spiralize or thinly slice the zucchini, red bell pepper, and yellow onion. Finely chop or spiralize the carrots if large enough.
- Combine fish sauce (or substitute), brown sugar (or alternative), vegetable broth, white vinegar, soy sauce, and chili paste in a jar. Shake well to mix.
- Serve immediately.
Equipment
- chef’s knife
- cutting board
- spiralizer (optional)
- mixing bowls
- measuring cups and spoons
- Nonstick Pan
- tongs
Nutrition Facts
- Calories: 350kcal
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Protein: 10g
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Cholesterol: 35mg
- Sodium: 800mg
- Potassium: 400mg
- Fiber: 5g
- Sugar: 10g
- Vitamin A: 120IU
- Vitamin C: 100mg
- Calcium: 6mg
- Iron: 10mg
FAQ-Colorful Veggie Pad Thai
Can I use regular rice noodles instead of brown rice noodles?
Yes, you can use regular rice noodles. However, brown rice noodles offer a slightly nutty flavor and are higher in fiber.
What can I substitute for fish sauce in this recipe?
Soy sauce, tamari, or a vegan fish sauce substitute can be used to make this dish vegetarian or vegan.
Is this dish gluten-free?
Yes, as long as you use gluten-free soy sauce or tamari, this dish can be made gluten-free.
How do I make this dish vegan?
Replace the egg with a tofu scramble, use a vegan fish sauce substitute, and opt for plant-based oil.
Can I make the Pad Thai sauce ahead of time?
Absolutely! You can prepare the sauce up to a week in advance and store it in the refrigerator. Just shake well before using.
