Homemade Red Curry Paste

I use to buy ready made red curry paste but by following this recipe have found it quite easy to make it yourself. Then you know that it is fresh and has not been sitting on a shelf in the shop for years. I have made this paste using easily available ingredients from my pantry and garden.



Yield : 4 Tablespoons

Ingredients
3 stalk fresh lemongrass (use the bottom white part only, slice thinly)
1 Tbsp galangal
5 clove garlic
2 tsp chilli paste
½ tsp shrimp paste (belacan)
1 tsp cumin
1 tsp coriander
5 tsp red paprika


Method
1. Grind cumin and coriander in a spice grinder until fine.

2. Pound each ingredients in a mortar and pestle starting with lemon grass until each is reduced to a paste. (It is easier to pound each item finely before adding the next one).

3. Use immediately or store in an airtight jar for 1 week. I prefer to freeze mine.



Note :
1. It is easier to prepare this using a mortar and pestle as the quantity is too little to use a electric grinder or blender unless you have the type that will grind minute quantity of paste.
2. The above quantity is more than enough for cooking 3kg of meat.

Recipe : recipezaar (adapted)