Ingredients
12 small green chillies
4 cloves garlic
4 shallots
3 stalks lemongrass, tough outer layers removed
thumb-sized piece of ginger, peeled
4 fresh kaffir lime leaves (optional)
1 tsp shrimp paste
salt
freshly ground black pepper
Method
1. Mix all the ingredients together, either in a food processor or in a large pestle and mortar, until they form a very smooth paste.
2. The paste needs to be smooth so it does not interfere with the textures and flavours of other ingredients.
This curry paste is very versatile. Besides using it to make a curry, you can use it as a dip by mixing it with yoghurt, or as an accompaniment to barbecued fish or vegetables.
