Step 1

For the curry paste:

Step 2

Grind dried chilies and black pepper in a coffee grinder until fine. In a mortar and pestle (or use an immersion blender like this one) pound half of the lemongrass, galangal, turmeric, kaffir lime zest (if using) with a little salt into a rough paste.

Step 3

Add the ground chilies and black pepper and pound to help absorb some liquid from the herbs.

Step 4

Add shallots and garlic and pound into a paste (doesn’t need to be super fine, as long as there are no big chunks).

Step 5

Add shrimp paste and pound to mix. You can now freeze this paste for future use if desired.

Step 6

In a wok, add just enough cooking oil to coat the bottom, then add the curry paste and saute it for a few minutes over medium heat, until the chili fumes fill your house! If the paste sticks, add water or stock as needed to deglaze.

Step 7

Add the pork, or whatever protein you’re using, and turn the heat up to medium high. Toss the pork well with the curry paste until there are no more big lumps. Add the sugar and keep tossing until fully cooked. If there is any liquid pooling at this point, crank the heat to high and keep cooking until there is no more liquid pooling.

Step 8

If this is your first time making it, taste it at this point and see if how much fish sauce it needs, if at all. This will depend on various factors including the saltiness of your shrimp paste. Once it is properly seasoned, add lime leaves, the other half of the lemongrass and chilies and toss to mix and it’s done!

Step 9

Serve with jasmine rice, and if you wish, some crunchy fresh vegetables to help cool you down from the heat. Pork crackling also goes really well with this dish.

Step 10

Join us on Patreon for bonus content & rewards!