Ingredients: Gather rice noodles, tofu or your preferred protein, assorted vegetables like bell peppers, carrots, and bean sprouts, garlic, shallots, and peanuts for garnish.
Preparation: Soak the rice noodles in hot water until softened. Meanwhile, sauté the garlic and shallots in a pan, adding in the tofu (or protein) and vegetables until cooked through.
Sauce: Mix together soy sauce, tamarind paste, lime juice, brown sugar, and chili flakes to create the signature Pad Thai sauce.
Combine: Toss the softened noodles into the pan with the cooked vegetables and protein. Pour the sauce over the mixture and stir until everything is evenly coated.
Garnish: Sprinkle chopped peanuts and fresh cilantro over the top for added flavor and texture.
Serve: Plate your vegetarian Pad Thai and serve it hot, with lime wedges on the side for an extra burst of citrus flavor. Enjoy this delicious and nutritious Thai-inspired dish!