How To Make Pad Thai (Vegetarian Pad Thai )

Juice 2 limes. Set aside.Prepping the dried rice noodles: When uncooked, the glass noodles look grayish.

Place the long noodles in a large bowl and soak them in cold water about 30 minutes. This step will help soften the noodles.

Drain through a colander and discard the liquid. Set aside.Prepping the fresh chiles: Stem, seed and finely chop the chile pepper. Note: Remember not to rub your eyes after touching the chile pepper seeds.Making the Pad Thai sauce: In a small bowl, dissolve the palm sugar (or light brown sugar) in cup boiling water.

Let the water cool to room temperature.

Drain the liquid from the package of the tofu. Pat dry the tofu with a paper towel.

Cut the piece of tofu in half, lengthwise.

Cut each block into -inch slices.In a wok, heat the remaining canola oil for about 2-3 minutes. You should have about a 1-inch deep layer of oil. The key to good fried tofu is to get little bubbles when the tofu is in contact with the oil. Don't over-heat the oil; otherwise the tofu will get too golden and chewy.

Place the tofu one piece at a time in the hot oil; make sure the tofu pieces don't touch each other. Pan-fry in batches for about 2 minutes per batch until golden on all sides. Lower the heat to medium-low for even cooking and to prevent them from browning too fast. Flip each piece and cook about a minute longer. Delicately pick up each tofu piece using a spider skimmer (I used wooden chopsticks), leaving as much oil as possible in the wok.As soon as the tofu is cooled enough to handle, cut into small dice. Set aside.Assembly time:In the same wok, add the ginger garlic paste and kaffir lime leaf. Cook until fragrant.

Add the carrots. Stir fry until they are slightly translucent, then add the shiitake and oyster mushrooms and fresh chiles. Season with mushroom seasoning salt. Toss well.

Add the tofu with the Pad Thai sauce. Stir well.

Transfer to a plate.Wash, trim and cut the green onions into 1-"-pieces. Set aside.

Add more oil to the wok if necessary. Stir fry the green onions until it is golden.

Add the drained rice noodles.

Add soy sauce, the juice of half a lime and light brown sugar. Toss using spatulas positioned on either side of the wok to prevent the food from sticking to the bottom. Cook for another minute.

Drizzle with about 1 cup water, then toss until the water evaporates. Check the doneness of the noodles. If they're still al dente, drizzle more water until they're the desired texture.

Add the tofu, fried jicama, vegetables and onions wedges. Toss well until the onion softens. Turn off the heat.

Add the bean sprouts. Cover the wok and let sit for about 2-3 minutes. Adjust the seasoning with more mushroom seasoning salt (if necessary).

Add the cilantro, finish with the remaining lime juice and drizzle a dash of sesame oil.

Sprinkle with black pepper and roasted peanuts.

Garnish with lime.Bon apptit!