Phad-tio Thai and Minty Lime Mangoade

So it's been a awhile, and though I've graduated and am no longer a college foodie per-say (I've got my own place and a grown-up's job), I"m still cooking and an amateur foodie so the name shall still stay.

What I've found over the last few weeks/months:
-One of the nice things about having one's own place is being able to cook when I want and what I want.
-One of the things nice about having a grown-up's job is I can afford to do more than just quick, oober cheap meals, super easy and term paper/studying/band-practice friendly meals. In other words I can do more than just throw stuff in a crock-pot (but I will never lose that as an option).

So with that said, let me share one recipe I just prepped and shared with my boyfriend in my new place:


Phad-tio Thai
(called that because I served it on my patio )

Here is what you do:

-Pick your meat of choice (chicken, pork, shrimp, beef, tofu) chopped to bite size pieces (maybe a cup's worth per-person). Chop and cook this fully.
-Purchase some Thai Kitchen Pad Thai instant kits (you will probably need one for each person that you wish to serve).
-Follow the prep directions for heating the noodles and sauce.
-Reserve the dehydrated toppings for the end.
-While the kits are microwaving, pulse some bell peppers, cilantro, onions, and fresh ginger in a food processor. This is all to taste--just add a little more or a little less of whatever you like. Once everything was pulsed I had about 1/4-1/2 of veggies and herbs per serving (but that may be because I'm obsessed with cilantro...)
-In another small pan hard scramble an egg or two.
-Once the meat is cooked, throw all the veggies and herbs in the pan.
-Add the fried eggs.
-Toss it all with sesame oil, if you've got it, Olive oil, if you don't.
-Add the noodles and sauce and toss together.
-Add salt, pepper, ground ginger, garlic powder, hot sauce, and Frank's Red Hot Sweet Chile Sauce).
-Add the seasoning and packets from the kits the mix and toss (reserve the peanuts if you prefer them as a topping).
-Add 1/8-1/4 cups of water.
-Cover and simmer on low for 5 mins. (or while you tidy up/nuke some frozen egg-rolls/prep beverages etc.).
-Plate and enjoy!

Minty Lime Mangoade

What you'll need:
-1 cup of sugar
-1 packet of your favorite lemonade instant drink mix (kool-aid)
-1 can of canned mango juice (look in the Latin food section of you local grocery store)
-1/8 cup of finely chopped mint leaves
-Ginger Ale (optional)
-Light rum (optional)
-Ice



What you'll do:
-Mix all the ingredients in a pitcher, chill, and enjoy!
-Add ginger ale for a virgin spritzer.
-Add light rum for a real spritzer.
-Blend with ice for a cool and refreshing slushie!