Step 1

Combine palm sugar, 2 Tbsp of fish sauce, shrimp paste and water in a small pot. Cook on medium-low heat until the sugar is dissolved, mashing the lumps of sugar along the way to help it go faster.

Step 2

Meanwhile, grind 2 Tbsp of dried shrimp in a coffee grinder or blender until fine. Chop the other 1 Tbsp into small chunks.

Step 3

Once all the sugar is dissolved and the mixture comes to a full boil, turn off the heat. Stir in the dried shrimp (both sets) and chilies. You can choose to stir the shallots in now while it's hot so the shallots cook and wilt a little, or stir them in once cooled to keep them fresh and pungent.Taste and adjust the sweet/salty balance as needed (you can try it with a piece of fruit so you have a better idea of how well it works and whether it needs to be sweeter or saltier).

Step 4

Let cool to room temp and serve! You can keep this in the fridge in a jar and it will last you at least a month.