Easy Vegetarian Pad Thai

By davidv

Don't let "tofu" scare you (if you're on the fence about that particular ingredient). It really just gives the sauce a creamier texture.

Tip: Don't have—or can't find—rice noodles? Just substitute linguine!

Ingredients

• 1 (11-oz) box rice noodles, cooked according to package directions and slightly al dente
• 1/3 cup vegetable stock
• 2-1/2 Tbsp soy sauce
• 1/3 cup fish sauce
• 3 Tbsp lime juice
• 1/4 cup sweet Thai chili sauce
• 2 Tbsp brown sugar
• 2 tsp chili garlic sauce
• 1/2 lb silken tofu
• 2 Tbsp oil
• 1 Tbsp minced ginger
• 1 tsp minced garlic
• 1 cup sliced scallions
• 1 cup julienned carrots
• 1 red pepper, julienned
• 1 cup chopped dry roasted salted peanuts, divided
• 2 cups bean sprouts, divided
• 1/2 cup loosely packed cilantro leaves, roughly chopped
• Additional cilantro leaves (optional garnish)
• Lime wedges (optional garnish)

Details

Adapted from qvc.co

Preparation

Step 1

Place the vegetable stock, soy sauce, fish sauce, lime juice, sweet chili sauce, brown sugar, chili garlic sauce, and tofu in a blender and blend until smooth.

Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ginger, garlic, and scallions and sauté until the garlic begins to brown. Add the carrots and red pepper and sauté until they begin to soften. Stir in the rice noodles and sauce until well combined and bring to a simmer. Let the Pad Thai simmer, stirring occasionally, until the noodles are cooked through.

Add 1/2 cup of peanuts, 1 cup of bean sprouts, and chopped cilantro, toss together. Serve with the remaining peanuts, bean sprouts, cilantro leaves, and lime wedges.