This version of pad thai, developed by cookbook author and teacher Nancie McDermott, is for those who may not have a wok at home. Although in Thailand pad thai is a street-vendor specialty, stir-fried in single portions right in front of you, McDermott knows that vendor-style won't fly with American home cooks. In this recipe, she's devised a way to produce a superb pad thai in a 12-inch heavy skillet, but be aware that the skillet can hold only enough ingredients for two people (of course, if you have a wok, you should use it). McDermott's pad thai recipe to serve four , which does require a wok, is reason enough to invest in one (they are inexpensive and last forever; look for a 14-inch flat-bottom carbon-steel wok). In either case you will be rewarded with the most authentic pad thai possible with ingredients from the supermarket. If the length of the recipe looks daunting, rest assured it comes together quickly; we included important tips within the procedure to make the process as foolproof as possible.
For more on pad thai, including ingredient information and McDermott's cooking tips, see Takeout at Home: Pad Thai.