Pad Thai

I made the best dinner last night! I made Pad Thai with chicken from a recipe that I found on myrecipes.com. It was just like you get in a restaurant. Really, really, just like in a restaurant. I couldn't believe it. And it has ketchup in it, that seemed like a weird ingredient, but must be necessary. Also, has fish sauce, which is an odd ingredient. Maybe you could leave that out, but I think it added to the authentic flavor and it's cheap, so get it. It's in the Asian section of the grocery store.

PAD THAI (pictured with shrimp)

8 ounces linguine or fettuccine pasta
1/4 cup ketchup
2 tablespoons sugar
2 tablespoons fish sauce
1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper
2 tablespoons vegetable oil, divided
1 pound medium shrimp, peeled and deveined
OR
1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, sliced thinly
2 large eggs, beaten
1 cup fresh bean sprouts
3/4 cup sliced green onions
1/2 teaspoon minced garlic
1/4 cup chopped peanuts

Cook pasta according to package directions. Meanwhile, combine ketchup, sugar, fish sauce and red pepper in a small bowl. Heat 2 teaspoons of oil in a large non-stick pan over medium-high heat. Add shrimp or chicken; sauté until done. Remove from pan; keep warm.

Heat 4 teaspoons of oil in same pan over medium-high heat. Add eggs; cook 30 seconds or until soft-scrambled, stirring constantly. Add sprouts, green onions and garlic; cook 1 minute. Add noodles, ketchup mixture, peanuts and meat; cook for about 3 minutes or until heated through.

Yield: 6 servings