Wok and woll.

Soooo.

If like me, you are tired of paying $9 a plate for Pad Thai, make your own!
The initial investment for some of the ingredients will be more than $8, but it's worth it in the long run. Especially if like me, you think that Thai food ought to be a weekly occurrence.

Here's the full story:

Fish Sauce - $4ish for a bottle. One bottle makes about 16 servings - $.25
Vegetable oil - You don't need to buy it, it's already in your cupboard. - $.06 serving
Eggs - $2.89 for 12. 2 makes 4 servings. -$.12
Pad Thai noodles - $2 a box, box makes 4 servings - $.50
Bean Sprouts - $1 for way more than you need. -$.10
Shredded carrots - $.79/lb. per serving -$.10
Lime juice - $.79 for one of those little lime shaped bottles, for get 9 servings out of that, so $.08
Sugar - 5 lbs for $3. Serving - $.02
Chili powder - Ok, so we were able to get it from the bulk spice bin, so 6 servings only cost $.38, so each serving is about $.06
Cilantro - $.69 - serving $.06
Peanuts - $3. - serving $.15
Lime - $.79 - serving $.19
Garlic - $.60 - serving $.05
Most spendy part (which you can skip) meat/tofu/prawns. We'll say this is about $1.00 per serving. (thats going to be plenty of whatever)


Add that all up, we have...$2.69
Much better deal than $9.

Now here's how to make it...

Pad Thai.
Recipe serves 4.

Sauce first -
Mix together
3 T. fish sauce
3 T lime juice
3 T sugar
1 pinch of chili powder
(add a little (2 T) coconut milk if you want)

Now the goods -
In a wok or a frying pan heat up 2 tbs of veggie oil.
Chop two garlic cloves and throw them in.
Also toss in the meat/tofu/prawns that you are using. Cook them until delicious.
While cooking, boil water and cook rice noodles for about 4-5 min (or according to package). remove and drain when done.
Remove garlic and whatever else you put in the wok and set aside.
Slightly beat 2 eggs, and scramble them in the hot wok.
Reduce heat and toss in noodles, meat/garlic and sauce. Toss together.
Add 1/2 cup of bean sprouts and 1/2 cup of shredded carrots. Toss again.
Remove from heat and garnish with crushed peanuts, chopped cilantro and lime wedges.
For a little something something extra, add a little lime zest and sugar with the chopped peanuts.
Use your chopsticks ($5 for a pack of 5 all natural wood ones, or grab some for free from a local Asian restaurant) and enjoy your meal.


Add some delicious Seaweed Salad for extra flare.

So, next time, instead of going out for Pad Thai, make this with friends. It's quick and easy, the clean up goes really fast, and it really does taste good. Really. oh then make some Thai tea to go with it. Holy moses. So delicious. Basically sweetened tea and half and half. mmmmm....