Quick Thai Noodles (Pad Kra Pao Noodles)
Pad Kra Pao Noodles are a dish inspired from the famous Thai dish "Pad Kra Pao". I saw this Pad Kra Pao recipe one day and I was craving noodles at that time. So I thought why not combine them? The result was simply splendid and besides being ready super quick, they are also super flavourful and delicious.
The Thai Basil is the star of this recipe if you ask me, but normal basil should work too. Minced meat (I used a mix of beef and pork, ideally this calls for minced pork), ginger and garlic, chilli, Thai basil and soy sauce + noodles. That's it! Simple and good! Let's start!
- 125 g noodles (the simple wheat Chinese noodles which are available in any store)
- 200 g minced meat (I used a mix of 50-50 pork and beef)
- 3 Pcs red bird eye chilli (finely chopped, adjust the quantity as per your taste)
- 3 tbsp sos de soia
- 2 Pcs usturoi (tăiat mărunt)
- 1 Pcs ghimbir (very small, smaller than an inch)
- Thai basil or holy basil (few leaves)
- 1 tbsp oil of your choice
- Making the noodles
Start by finely chopping the garlic, ginger and red chilli. Set aside. In a pot, bring water to boil and boil the noodles according to the instructions. Drain and toss with a bit of oil so they won't stick.
In a pan, add 1 tbsp of oil and sautee the minced meat, making sure you break the big pieces apart, this way the meat will be distributed evenly in the noodles. Once the meat is cooked and slightly caramelised on the bottom of the pan (see video), add the aromatics (ginger, garlic, chilli) and sautee until fragrant. Add the soy sauce and mix everything well. Add the noodles, toss them and mix so that every noodle gets coated in the flavour. At the end, add the Thai basil and mix one more time. Serve with extra basil and optional with a fried egg. Enjoy!