make it at home, pad thai

it's hard to move to a new place.  you start to miss your usual favorites.  after some disappointing thai take out in salt lake, ryan made this for me!  homemade is always better anyway!  i call it, "ryan's famous pad thai", and i'm not sad anymore.  next up pho? 

peanut oil, for sautéing 

1 lg. shallot, minced

3 cloves garlic, minced

1/2 package rice noodles, soaked in warm water till beginning to soften

1 block super firm, pressed tofu, in matchsticks

2 tablespoons sugar

4 teaspoons tamari

1 teaspoon ground chili powder

2 tablespoons tamarind pulp mixture (dissolved into 1/4 cup water with 1 tablespoon pulp)

bean sprouts, to your liking

scallions, sliced

white pepper, to taste

lime wedges, to serve

thai basil, sliced for the top

peanuts, toasted and crushed

it's simple too!  heat oil in a pan. toss in shallot and garlic, quick sauté, then tofu, till browning.  Add noodles and saucy ingredients: sugar, tamari, chili powder, tamarind, 2 minutes.  Toss in the sprouts, scallions, pepper.  serve topped with basil, a squeeze of lime, more chili powder if you so desire, and crushed peanuts!  also i would suggest an imperial ipa, you'll be happy for sure.