Vegetarian Pad Thai

Ever since my sister worked as a hostess at a Thai restaurant in high school, I've been hooked on Pad Thai. She would bring it home every night she worked, and I ate it without complaint!

Although this is a vegetarian recipe, feel free to throw in chicken and/or shrimp to the mix.

Enjoy!

Yields: 6 servings (serving size: 1 1/3 cups noodle mixture, 2 teaspoons cilantro, about 1 teaspoon peanuts, and 1 lime wedge)

Ingredients

• 2/3 cup chili sauce (such as Heinz)
• 1/4 cup packed brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons water
• 2 tablespoons fish sauce
• 1 1/2 teaspoons grated peeled fresh ginger
• 1 teaspoon chopped seeded serrano chile
• 1/2 pound wide rice stick noodles (bánh pho)
• 4 teaspoons vegetable oil, divided
• 1 (12.3-ounce) package extrafirm tofu, drained and cut into 1/2-inch cubes
• 2 large egg whites
• 1 large egg
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 cups fresh bean sprouts
• 3/4 cup diagonally cut green onions
• 1/2 cup minced fresh cilantro, divided
• 1/3 cup coarsely chopped dry-roasted peanuts
• 6 lime wedges

Preparation

• Combine first 6 ingredients; set aside.
• Cook noodles in boiling water 5 minutes or until done. Drain and rinse with cold water; drain well.
• Heat 2 teaspoons oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add tofu; cook 7 minutes or until browned, stirring occasionally. Remove from pan.
• Combine egg whites and egg, stirring well with a whisk.
• Heat 2 teaspoons vegetable oil in pan over medium-high heat. Add garlic, and sauté for 10 seconds. Add egg mixture, and cook for 30 seconds or until soft-scrambled, stirring constantly. Stir in chili sauce mixture and noodles; cook for 2 minutes. Stir in tofu, bean sprouts, onions, and 1/4 cup cilantro, and cook 3 minutes or until thoroughly heated.
• Sprinkle 1/4 cup cilantro and peanuts evenly over each serving of noodle mixture. Serve with lime wedges.

Nutritional Information

Calories: 347

Calories from fat: 25%

Fat: 9.6g

Saturated fat: 1.6g

Monounsaturated fat: 3.5g

Polyunsaturated fat: 3.5g

Protein: 10.9g

Carbohydrate: 56.7g

Fiber: 2.5g

Cholesterol: 37mg

Iron: 2.4mg

Sodium: 935mg

Calcium: 80mg