Satay Peanut Sauce

Ingredients:

3 stalk lemongrass

15 shallots

8 clove garlic

2 tbsp chili paste

1" galangal

1 cup tamarind juice ~ 1 tbsp tamarind paste w/1 cup hot water

6 tbsp palm sugar

1 tbsp salt

350-400g roasted peanuts ~ grounded

900ml water

Cooking oil ~ used in blending the spices

Directions/Instructions:

1. Heat oil in the wok and fry the peanut until golden brown.  Drain on the kitchen paper towel.
2. Use a food processor to ground the peanuts not too fine.  Set aside.
3. Add the tamarind paste plus 1 cup of warm water and set aside.
4. Add spices and oil to the blender into a smooth paste.  Heat in a large pot with some oil and saute paste till fragrant or oil resurface.
5. Then add water.  Continue to stir till the mixture combine and bring to a boil.  Then add the grounded peanuts, palm sugar, and salt.  Continue to stir to mix and bring to a boil.
6. Next, tamarind juice and stir to combine well.  The sauce should be sweet and spicy.  Let it boil and reduce the heat to simmer for 45 minutes until the gravy thickens.  Keep stirring in between so that it does not burn on the bottom.  (Note: The longer simmer, the gravy thickens and tastes better)