Homemade Red Curry Paste

Ingredients:

15 dried chilies

1 tsp coarse salt

1/4 tsp white peppercorns

2 stalk lemongrass ~ chopped

1" galangal ~ chopped

3-4 cilantro root ~ chopped

1 lime skin ~ chopped

8 shallot

5 cloves garlic

1" fermented shrimp paste (Belacan)

Directions/Instructions:

1. Remove seeds from chilies, cut into chunks and soak in hot water until softened.  Drain and ry off excess water with a paper towel.
2. Add to mortar and pestle along with salt and white peppercorns.  Pound into a fine paste.
3. Add lemongrass, galangal, cilantro roots, lime zest.  Pound into a fine paste.
4. Then add shallots and garlic.  Continue to pound into a fine paste.  Lastly add shrimp paste and pound to mix.