Vegetarian Pad Thai (Noodles)

Ingredients:

• 12 ounces dried flat rice noodles
• 3 tablespoons tamarind
• 1 cup boiling-hot water
• 1/2 cup light soy sauce
• 1/4 cup light brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons Sriracha (Southeast Asian chile sauce)
• 1 bunch scallions
• 4 large shallots
• 1 (14- to 16-ounce) tofu
• 1 1/2 cups peanut or vegetable oil
• 6 large eggs
• 4 garlic cloves, finely chopped
• 2 cups bean sprouts
• 1/2 cup roasted peanuts, coarsely chopped

Procedure:

1. Soak noodles in a large bowl of warm water for 25 - 30 mins or until softened.
2. Drain well in a colander and cover with a dampened paper towel.
3. Make sauce by soaking tamarind pulp in boiling-hot water in a small bowl, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 5 minutes. Force mixture through a sieve into a bowl, discarding seeds and fibers. Add soy sauce, brown sugar, and Sriracha, stirring until sugar has dissolved.
4. Cut scallions into 2-inch pieces
5. Cut shallots crosswise into very thin slices
6. Rinse tofu, then cut into 1-inch cubes and pat dry
7. Heat oil in wok over medium heat until hot, then fry half of shallots over medium-low heat, stirring frequently, until golden-brown, 8 to 12 minutes. Carefully strain mixture through a fine-mesh sieve into a heatproof bowl. Reserve shallot oil and spread fried shallots on paper towels. (Shallots will crisp as they cool.) Wipe wok clean.
8. Reheat shallot oil in wok over high heat until hot. Fry tofu in 1 layer, gently turning occasionally, until golden, 5 to 8 minutes. Transfer tofu to paper towels using a slotted spoon. Pour off frying oil and reserve.
9. Lightly beat eggs with 1/4 teaspoon salt. Heat 2 tablespoons shallot oil in wok over high heat until it shimmers. Add eggs and swirl to coat side of wok, then cook, stirring gently with a spatula, until cooked through. Break into chunks with spatula and transfer to a plate.
10. Heat wok over high heat until a drop of water evaporates instantly. Pour in 6 tablespoons shallot oil, then swirl to coat side of wok. Stir-fry scallions, garlic, and remaining uncooked shallots until softened, about 1 minute.
11. Add noodles and stir-fry over medium heat (use 2 spatulas if necessary) 3 minutes. Add tofu, bean sprouts, and 1 1/2 cups sauce and simmer, turning noodles over to absorb sauce evenly, until noodles are tender, about 2 minutes.
12. Stir in additional sauce if desired, then stir in eggs and transfer to a large shallow serving dish.
13. Sprinkle pad Thai with peanuts and fried shallots and serve with lime wedges, cilantro sprigs, and Sriracha.

Makes 4 - 6 servings