Homemade Sambal Belacan aka Spicy Dip Shrimp Paste

Ingredients:
1/8 cup cooking oil

1 medium-size tomato ~ halved & seeded

5 shallots

10 red chilies

8 green chilies

½ tbsp shrimp paste (belacan)

2 tbsp palm sugar

¼ tsp salt

½ lime

Directions:

1. Heat 1/8 cup cooking oil in a skillet over medium heat for 3 mins.  Fry tomato & shallots till soft & brown for 3 mins.  Remove & set aside.
2. Next fry chilies until they turn a shade lighter for 1 min.
3. Drain the oil, leaving only 2 tbsp of oil on the skillet & turn down the heat.  Fry the shrimp paste quickly, break the paste using the spatula for 2 mins.  Remove from heat for later use.
4. Put all the fried ingredients into the blender & blend till smooth paste.  Good to be served with prawn crackers or selections of fresh & boiled vegetables.