Curry Laksa

Have you ever walked into a restaurant and you just love their chili paste but it is not for sale? I have and would actually love to do it myself, especially chili sambals. Of all the chili paste, I find that curry laksa paste is the most fragrant. Here is a simple recipe to cook yourself a good amount of curry laksa paste. I hope you will enjoy it.

Ingredients:

• 2 garlic cloves, chopped
• 2 cm fresh ginger, chopped (~2 teaspoons)
• 2 green chilies, seeds removed
• 1 kaffir lime leaf, chopped (optional)
• 2 stalks lemongrass, peeled and chopped (~2 tablespoons minced)
• 2 tablespoons cashew nuts
• 1 tablespoon brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon ground turmeric
• 1 teaspoon ground coriander
• 1 tablespoon fish sauce
• 2 limes, juice of (~.36 cup)

Directions:

1. Grind all ingredients together with a mortar and pestle or in a spice mill or food processor to form a smooth paste.
2. Will last up to 4 days if covered and stored in the refrigerator. If frozen in portions in zip-lock plastic bags, will keep 3 months.
3. Note: To make soup, add coconut milk and an equal amount of fish or chicken stock, hokkien noodles (or egg noodles), spring onions, bean sprouts and fish or prawns. Simmer until tender. Or you can use this paste as a flavoring base for your favorite curry.