The Best Vegetarian Pad Thai

SERVES 4

INGREDIENTS:

2 Carrots (thinly sliced or spiralized)

40g Edamame Beans (cooked)

100g Snow Peas (thinly sliced, diagonally)

100g Asparagus (thinly sliced, diagonally)

3 Shallots (thinly sliced, diagonally)

1 Red Chilli (thinly sliced, diagonally)

1-2 TBLS Coconut or Olive Oil (for cooking)

*¼ Cup Roasted Peanuts (chopped coarsely)

*2 Eggs (lightly beaten)

FOR THE SAUCE:

90g Cashews (soaked)

6 Dates

2 Lemongrass Stalks (peeled & chopped)

4 Cloves Garlic (minced/finely grated)

30g Ginger (minced/finely grated)

Zest & Juice of 2 Limes

2 TBLS. Tamari

1 1/2 tsp. Chili Flakes (dried)

TO SERVE:

200g Thick Pad Thai Rice Noodles

Squeeze Lime Juice

*80g Fried Shallots

* Coriander Leaves (torn)

METHOD:

  1. Place rice noodles in a large heatproof bowl and cover with boiling water, stand until tender, drain and set aside.

  2. Throw all sauce ingredients into a blender or small food processor and blitz until well combined. Set aside

  3. If using egg – heat 2 tsp. of oil in a large non-stick fry pan, pour in beaten eggs and cook like a thin omelette. Remove from heat, roll and slice thinly diagonally. Set aside.

  4. If not using eggs – Heat oil in a large non-stick fry pan, add the garlic, shallots and chili and stir fry until fragrant.

  5. Add the carrot, snow peas, asparagus & edamame beans and stir fry until slightly cooked. Remove from heat and set aside.

  6. Heat 1 TBLS coconut or olive oil, add sauce and stir until warm and fragrant, add noodles and stir fried vegetables and toss to coat and combine evenly.

  7. Serve with a squeeze of fresh lime, fried shallots and fresh coriander leaves.

*OPTIONAL