- 1/2 cup of tamarind chutney
- 1/2 cup of sugar
- 1/2 cup fish sauce
- chili powder, start with a 1/4 tsp
don’t look at this picture and think, wow, she pulled it off, because i didn’t. well, i guess i kind of did…but i cheated!
with any recipe you try for the first time, especially if your not familiar with the ingredients, there is always trial and error, let’s face it, sometimes things just don’t work.
attempt #1: it was great just way to spicy. my kids took one bite and screamed for water. e and i loved it however, huge spice fans here so we were happy. instead of using real tamarind i cheated and used chutney i had sitting in my fridge.
attempt #2: since i managed to get it right the first time by “cheating” i decided to be brave and try using real tamarind. i picked up some at the local asian market. it sat in my cabinet for 2 weeks before i decided to go for it. when i opened it up i thought i was going to pass out. it smelled like really really stinky feet. i was warned so i went for it. when it cooks it doesn’t smell any better. and when you taste it and didn’t get the recipe right you just want to vomit. it’s one of those tastes that even thinking about it makes you want to just run to the bathroom. i chucked it.
attempt #3: i decided real tamarind just isn’t for me and cheating is easier. 3rd time was a charm and tamarind chutney rules (i can’t even read #2 without feeling sick).
just goes to show you, no one is perfect, sometimes recipes just don’t work out, even if you follow it to the t. i get over these things really quickly, if you want to learn how to cheat yourself through an awesome pad thai recipe, see below 
- in a saucepan mix all the ingredients, bring to a simmer and continue cooking for 15 to 20 minutes.
- pour over noodles and veg.
