HPB

One of my 2 favorite places to get Thai food is in Chicago and it is called Penny's Noodle Shop. The one we used to go to was right underneath the El stop on Diversey avenue. I led a group of people up there for our trip to the Iowa game last fall but it was closed! My naughty wife always used to get Pad Thai or Pad Se Eu. I always got Hot Pepper Noodle. The menu describes it as follows:

Stir fried wide rice noodles with egg, chili sauce, onion, red pepper,
tomato, basil and your choice of chicken,beef or tofu ...... $6.40

We call it HPB around our house because of the amazing and sometimes devastating effects it has on the gastrointestinal tract. Ask me sometimes and I'll tell you what HPB stands for. I don't have the actual recipe but here is what I do.

HPB

1 box tofu, cut into pieces and fried

3 eggs, scrambled

1 onion, cut into pieces

1 tomato, cut into wedges

1 T red curry paste

Thai red pepper hot sauce to taste

3 cloves garlic, minced
1 thumb sized piece of ginger, finely minced

salt to taste

1 T brown bean sauce

1 red bell pepper, cut into chunks

Wide rice noodles (if you can find them) I usually end up using some sort of egg noodle

a few basil leaves, torn up into small pieces

some finely chopped cilantro

Cut the tofu into pieces and fry until done. Set aside.

Scramble 3 eggs and set aside.

Saute the onion and set aside. (the goal is something that is sauteed but still slightly crisp)

Saute the red pepper and set aside. (the goal is something that is sauteed but still slightly crisp)

In a wok or large pot heat a little peanut oil. Saute the minced garlic and ginger just until it softens. Add the red curry paste and stir. Cook this briefly. Add the tomatoes and cook briefly, just until they start to soften. Dump in all the rest of the ingredients except the hot chili sauce and heat briefly. Taste the mixture. Add salt and the hot chili sauce until it suits your taste. I like mine HOT HOT HOT!