Padd Thai Bann Gog (Bangkok-Style)

From Cracking the Coconut by Su-Mei Yu

makes one generous serving

1/4 c vegetable oil
3 large cloves garlic, minced
2-3 oz dried wide rice noodles, softened in warm water
1 c water (or as needed)
2 Tb rice vinegar or cider vinegar
1 tea fish sauce
1/3 c diced fried tofu
1 Tb salted Tien Jing cabbage or salt-packed capers, rinsed and dried
2 Tb unsalted peanuts dry-roasted and ground
1/2 tea Roasted dried chili powder or chili flakes
1 Tb sugar
1/4 lb fresh bean sprouts (1 c)
10-12 blades Chinese chives or 2 whole scallions, cut into 1 inch lengths
1 large egg

Heat a wok over high heat for 1-2 minutes. Add 3 Tb oil and the garlic and cook, stirring to prevent burning, until the garlic is golden. Lower the heat to medium, add the noodles, and cook, stirring with two spatulas to separate the noodles. If the noodles start to clump, lower the heat and add 1 Tb water, stirring and tossing. Continuing to add water 1 Tb at a time if necessary, stir-fry until the noodles are cooked by not soggy. Add the vinegar, fish sauce, tofu, and salted cabbage and continue to cook, stirring for 1 minute. Sprinkle the peanuts, chili powder and sugar on top of the noodle mixture and stir to mix, then quickly mix in the bean sprouts and Chinese chives. Push the noodle mixture to one side of the wok and add the remaining 1 Tb oil to the center of the skillet. Break the egg directly in to the oil and scramble it lightly. When the egg begins to set, push the noodle mixture back on top of the egg, then slide the noodle mixture onto a serving platter.