Red curry paste (kruang kaeng dang)

6 Servings

Ingredients

QuantityIngredient
10mediumsRed Fresh Or Dried Chillies
½cupSmall Purple Shallots OR
2smallsBrown Onions, Chopped
1tablespoonGarlic, Chopped
¼cupFinely Sliced Lemon Grass OR
1mediumThily Sliced Rind Of Lemon
1tablespoonChopped Galangal, Fresh Or Frozen OR
3teaspoonsPowdered Galangal
1tablespoonChopped Fresh Coriander (Cilantro/Chinese Parsley)
Roots
1tablespoonChopped Fresh Coriander Stems
1teaspoonFinely Grated Kaffir Lime Rind
4mediumsKaffir Lime Leaves, Mid Ribs Removed
2tablespoonsVegetable Oil
2teaspoonsShrimp Paste
1tablespoonCoriander Seeds
2teaspoonsCummin Seeds
1teaspoonBlack Peppercorns
2teaspoonsPaprika
1teaspoonGround Tumeric

Directions

Yield: 8 Fluid Ounces (1 Cup)

In the container of an electric blender, put the chillies, shallots, garlic, lemon grass, galangal, coriander roots and stems, lime rind and the lime leaves. Add the oil and blend to a smooth puree.

Wrap the shrimp closely in foil, flattening to make a small packet.

Place under a hot griller (broiler) and cook 2 to 3 minutes on each side.

In a small saucepan, toast the coriander seeds until golden and fragrant, then turn onto a plate. Toast the cumin seeds until fragrant. Lightly toast the pepper corns also and grind all three to a powder in a mortar and pestle. Add to the blender with the paprika and ground turmeric and shrimp paste. Blend once more.

Store in a clan dry bottle in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 weeks. Or divide into convenient portions and wrap and freeze.

From Carmaine Solomon's Thai Cookbook By Charmaine Solomon