Step 1

Cover dried shrimp in water and microwave for 30 seconds or however long it takes the water to be steaming hot. Let it cool for a few minutes.

Step 2

Drain the dried shrimp (you can keep the water and use it as the water called for in the recipe). Add dried shrimp to a mortar and pestle and pound until they're broken into small fluffy bits.

Step 3

Add garlic and chilies and pound until the garlic and chilies are fine. (Larger bits of chili skins are fine.)

Step 4

Add palm sugar and pound until it's mostly dissolved.

Step 5

Add shrimp paste and pound to mix, making sure there are no clumps of shrimp paste left.

Step 6

Add lime juice and fish sauce and mix well with a spoon. Add about a tablespoon of water to start then taste; and if you want it to be a bit more mellow, add a little more water. But keep in mind this is supposed to be a strongly-flavoured dip that's used only a little at a time. You can also add more lime juice, sugar or fish sauce as needed.

Step 7

Serve with all the accompaniments and enjoy!