Step 1

Soak flat rice noodles in boiling hot water for 5-8 minutes until they are tender.

Step 2

Drain the water and toss the noodles with a few drops of oil. Set aside.

Step 3

In a saucepan, stir together vegetable stock, soy sauce, brown sugar, tamarind paste, red chili paste, fish sauce, salt and water.

Step 4

Bring the mixture to a boil on high heat. Reduce the heat to low and cook for 3-4 minutes. Remove the pan from heat and set it aside. Pad Thai Sauce is ready.

Step 5

Heat sesame oil in a wok over high heat.

Step 6

Once the oil is hot, add chopped garlic and chopped Thai red chili. Fry for 4-5 seconds.

Step 7

Add sliced onions, sliced red bell pepper, sliced yellow bell pepper and bean sprouts and fry for a minute.

Step 8

Now add the cooked noodles and sauce to the wok and toss well to coat the noodles. The noodles will be watery at this stage but they will soak up the sauce in another 3-4 minutes and also become darker in color.

Step 9

Transfer the noodles to the serving bowls and top with crushed roasted peanuts, chopped cilantro, and lemon wedges. Serve hot.