Pad Kee Mao the famous Thai Drunken Noodles
Pad Kee Mao which has the English literal translation of Drunken noodles is another popular Thai food often said to be a cure for hangovers. Don't worry if your spice level isn't high as my Drunken Noodles recipe can be adjusted to suit your spice levels which is how I teach all the Thai dishes I make in my cooking classes. Pad Kee Mao recipes will always include some chili to help make the spicy sauce which the dish is famous for. This dish like Pad Thai consists of stir-fried noodles with herbs, such as spring onion, fresh pepper, fresh chilies, and garlic. This dish also uses Thai basil which is also known as holy basil which isn't the same as regular basil/Italian basil which is usually the type of basil that many people are more familiar cooking with. Thai basil has a Spicy flavour that helps you to sweat and makes the blood flow better. The secret to cooking is good quality fresh ingredients like fresh rice noodles although dry rice noodles can also be used, fresh Thai basil as well as other leafy greens. This dish can be made with different meats or cuts of meat chicken breast, chicken thigh fillets, shrimp meat, beef or pork meat, the choice of meat or not to include meat is up to you, as you can substitute tofu for chicken. In my cooking class, I will show you how to get the right mixture of spices, shrimp paste, fish sauce and soy sauce for a finished dish with just the right refreshing zing to make the aforementioned spicy stir-fry dish that any Bangkok street vendor would be proud of.
Drunken noodles or Pad Kee Mao is easy to make and this hot noodle dish is one of my favourite noodles choices when I am in the mood for a bowl of noodles.
The history of Pad Kee Mao
Pad Kee Mao, or Drunken Noodles, is believed to have originated in the Central Plains region of Thailand. It is a spicy stir-fry dish made with wide rice noodles, vegetables, and meat, typically chicken, beef, or seafood, seasoned with soy sauce, fish sauce, and chili peppers. The dish gets its name "drunken noodles" from the idea that it was traditionally consumed by drinkers after a night of heavy drinking to curb their hunger and help them sober up. The dish has become a staple in Thai cuisine and can be found in Thai restaurants around the world.
Ingredients you will need if you are taking an online class
● Meat (Chicken, pork, prawn) or tofu for vegetarian
● Egg
● Big flat noodles
● Holy basil or sweet basil
● Fresh peppercorns
● Red pepper/chillies
● Kale (Chinese Kale)
● Vegetables you like (carrot, baby corn)
● Garlic crushed
● Cooking Oil
● Sugar
● Dark soy sauce
● Soy sauce
● Oyster sauce
● Black pepper