Pad Hed

Name: Pad Hed
Prep time: 25 min
Cook time: 45 min
Total time: 1 h 10 min
Yield: 4 to 6
Cuisine: Thai
Ingredients: 300 g mixed mushrooms; 2 tbsp oyster-style sauce; 4 garlic cloves; 1 handful Thai basil; to taste fine sea salt

25 minutes prep 45 minutes cook Serves 4 to 6 vegan

Pad Hed is a Thai stir-fry dish centered around mushrooms, cooked with a generous hand of salt and fat. It's a home-style recipe, reflecting how a Thai family would typically prepare it for their table.

This dish is enjoyed across Thailand, known for its rich, savory flavors enhanced by oyster-style sauce and aromatic garlic. A handful of Thai basil adds a fresh, herbal note, making it a simple yet flavorful dish perfect for sharing.

Ingredients

300 gmixed mushrooms
2 tbspoyster-style sauce
4garlic cloves
1 handfulThai basil
to tastefine sea salt

Method

Begin by cleaning and slicing 300 g of mixed mushrooms into even pieces to ensure they cook uniformly. Peel and finely chop 4 garlic cloves. This preparation will help the flavors meld together seamlessly during cooking.
Heat a large wok or deep frying pan over medium-high heat and add a generous amount of oil to coat the bottom. Once the oil is shimmering, add the chopped garlic and stir-fry for about 30 seconds until it becomes fragrant and lightly golden.
Add the sliced mushrooms to the pan, stirring them to coat with the garlic-infused oil. Continue to cook, stirring occasionally, until the mushrooms release their moisture and begin to turn tender and slightly browned. This should result in a rich, earthy aroma.
Pour in 2 tbsp of oyster-style sauce, stirring well to ensure the mushrooms are evenly coated. Allow the sauce to simmer and thicken slightly, which will enhance the umami flavor of the dish.
Tear a handful of Thai basil leaves and add them to the pan, stirring gently until they wilt and release their aromatic scent. This will add a fresh, herbal note to the dish.
Season the Pad Hed with fine sea salt to taste, stirring to combine. The mushrooms should be tender with a slightly chewy texture, and the sauce should cling to them without being too runny.
Transfer the Pad Hed to a serving dish and serve warm, allowing the flavors to be enjoyed at their peak. This dish is perfect for sharing, embodying the communal spirit of Thai home cooking.