Red Curry Paste

(pic: mycookingjourney)

Ingredients :

1 tbsp coriander seeds
2 tsp cumin seeds
1 tsp black peppercorns
2 tsp dried shrimp paste
1 tsp ground nutmeg
12 dried or fresh red chilies, roughly chopped
1 cup French shallots, chopped
2 tbsp oil
4 stems lemon grass (white part only), finely chopped
12 small cloves garlic, chopped
2 tbsp fresh coriander roots, chopped
2 tbsp fresh coriander stems, chopped
6 kaffir lime leaves, chopped
2 tsp grated lime rind
2 tsp salt
2 tsp turmeric
1 tsp paprika



How To Make :

1. Place the coriander and cumin seed in a dry frying pan and heat for 2-3 minutes, shaking the pan constantly.

2. Place the roasted spices and peppercorns in a mortar and pestle or clean coffee grinder and work them until they are finely ground. Wrap the shrimp paste in a small amount of foil and cook under a hot grill for 3 minutes, turning the package twice.

3. Process the ground spices, roasted shrimp paste, nutmeg and chilies in a food processor for 5 seconds. Add the remaining ingredients and process for 20 seconds at a time, scraping down the sides of the bowl with a spatula each time, until the mixture forms a smooth paste. Makes approximately 1 cup.

Source : Asia Books