Simple Pad Thai

If I have learned anything valuable in my short life, it is the dang truth of this little cliche: variety is the spice of life.

All those things people have uttered over the years, those worn out sayings about life, they are all so true. There is a point in youth where you believe none of them apply; I’ve found the place now that laughs at the idea of defeating the cliches of life, because I know how futile it is. The sayings wouldn’t be so worn, like an awesome old leather jacket, if they didn’t fit the lives of most people. So friends, if the shoe fits, buy it–fake it till you make it– and then make pad thai at home.

Making a dish that is completely outside your realm of flavor understanding is a good thing. Being comfortable all the time, after all, never makes for anything spectacular. Lewis and Clark could not revel in exploring the west by staying at home. Sometimes we have to stick a toe out, then a whole foot, and by that time we realize how un-scary trying a new thing really is, and we are running for more. This is true for all you home cooks! The usual is great–it is fantastic to have to go recipes and flavors that let you exhale, as you sink into the comfort of your familiar couch. But not all the time! We have to throw some variety into our cooking, something that whacks your tastebuds across the face with awesomeness. (If a tastebud had a face…this could get interesting..)

I found this recipe on another blog, tweaked it a little to what I had available (and I always double the amount of veggies in most recipes) and it is so EASY. Whipped it up in like twenty minutes tops. And it was DELICIOUS. Having the exact ingredients on hand is one thing that I believe stops a lot of us from trying recipes–I must confess that Google has been my best friend sometimes (I search substitutes for things I don’t have all the time.) Don’t have sesame oil? Try peanut! No peanuts? Use slivered almonds (I did, and it was darn tasty!) No rice noodles? Use another noodle, it will be fine! You won’t end up having a perfectly authentic dish, but that is okay. Perfection of authenticity is so much less important than making something that tastes good, and feeds your family.

Today, lets all promise to mix it up a little. Go and start doing one of the things you’ve always dreamed of doing– buy that dress that you love, but looks a little too daring– try something new. Shake it up a little, friends! It will renew your love for life, and at the same time, remind you of why you love what you already have in this world.

Easy Pad Thai:

You will need:

• 8 ounces dried rice noodles (wide, flat noodles are typical of pad thai but I used what I had lying around)
• 2 tbs. brown sugar
• 2 tbs. lemon juice
• 3 tablespoons soy sauce
• 2 teaspoons sesame oil
• 1 bell pepper, sliced
• 1 carrot, sliced
• 1 garlic clove, minced
• 1/3 cup corn (I use frozen)
• 2 large eggs, light beaten
• 1/2 cup fresh cilantro
• 1/4 cup chopped roasted, salted peanuts (I used slivered almonds because I didn’t have peanuts on hand; worked fine.)

Directions:

1. Soak noodles according to package instructions. Drain noodles and set aside.

2. In a small bowl, whisk together brown sugar, lemon juice, and soy sauce.

3. Heat sesame oil over medium-high heat in large skillet. Add peppers and cook 3-5 minutes, until tender. Add garlic and corn cook 1 minute. Add eggs and cook, constantly stirring and scraping skillet with spatula until eggs are almost set (about 30 seconds). Transfer to a plate and set aside.

4. Add soaked noodles and prepared sauce to skillet. Cook while frequently tossing until noodles are tender, about 1 minutes. Add eggs to mixture and toss together. Serve, top with cilantro and peanuts.

OTHER NEWS!

Wise & Wonderful Cookery will now be featured on my dear friend’s fantastic blog, Young Mary’s Record, every Sunday! Sometimes it will be the same current recipe I post here, other times it will be something entirely new, and only for Young Mary. And the only way YOU will know is to go check it out, every Sunday! And aside from my food, she has so many interesting tid-bits of awesome on that site, it will keep you coming back.

And lastly! My dear husband, Jake, is on the road again with his bandmates. They are The Bears of Blue River. I will miss him so much, they are gone for a week to tour the Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska area. Please go check out their tour dates, listen to the fabulous tunes, and send them some love along the road. (And then have patience with me if I’m calling you every day because my house is too quiet.)