Perfect pad Thai

• dried rice noodle↗250g g

  (also called rice sticks)

• vegetable oil↗3 tbsp tbsp
• garlic cloves↗3

  finely chopped

• Thai bird's-eye chillies↗3

  (or 2 thumb-sized), deseeded and finely chopped

• palm sugar↗3 tbsp tbsp

  or soft brown sugar

• tamarind paste6 tbsp tbsp

  mixed with 3 tbsp water

• fish sauce↗3 tbsp tbsp
• light soy sauce↗2 tsp tsp
• peeled raw prawns↗300g g

  deveined

• eggs↗3

  beaten

• fresh beansprouts100g g
• preserved or pickled turnips2 tbsp tbsp

  finely chopped

• small pack chives½

  snipped into 2.5cm/1in pieces

• roasted and ground peanuts

  optional

• lime↗

  wedges, optional

• coriander

  leaves, optional

Step-by-step instructions

1. 1

   First, soak the noodles. If they are long, break them into 15cm-long pieces. Place in a large bowl and cover with warm water. Leave for 10 mins so they start to soften, but no longer. You want them to be firm when you cook them, otherwise they'll go soggy.

2. 2

   Next, make the sauce. Put 1 tbsp of the oil in a wok. Keep the heat low and add the garlic and chilli. Stir for 2-3 mins, then add the palm sugar, tamarind, fish sauce and soy sauce. Keep stirring until the sugar is dissolved. Pour into a bowl and clean the wok.

3. 3

   You will need to make the pad Thai in 2 batches so that the wok cooks everything quickly and at a high heat. Have all your ingredients ready to go. Pour a little more oil into the clean wok and heat until hot. Add half the prawns, cook for 1 min, then push to the side. Add half the beaten eggs, leave to set for 1 min, then scramble. Add half the noodles, beansprouts and pickled turnip, if using. Stir constantly, using 2 long spoons, heating the noodles through. Pour in half the sauce and keep stir-frying until absorbed, then stir in half the chives. Tip onto 2 plates and top with half the peanuts, lime wedges and coriander.

4. 4

   Clean out the wok and pour in the remaining oil. Repeat the process with the remaining ingredients and serve.