Laksa Paste
- 30m Prep Time
- 0sCook Time
- 30m Ready In
This laksa paste is a fragrant blend of dried shrimp, chiles, lemongrass, and spices. Use it as a base for laksa soup or other Southeast Asian dishes.
Ingredients
- 2 dried arbol chiles, stemmed
- 4 teaspoons dried shrimp
- ¼ cup tamarind juice concentrate
- ½ onion, chopped
- 3 makrut lime leaves, middle vein removed and sliced thin crosswise
- 2 tablespoons raw cashews, chopped
- 2 stalks lemongrass, trimmed to bottom 6 inches, tough outer leaves discarded, halved lengthwise, and minced
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 1 (3-inch) piece galangal, chopped
- 3 garlic cloves, peeled
- 1 tablespoon packed dark brown sugar
- 1½ teaspoons ground coriander
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- ¾ teaspoon paprika
- ¾ teaspoon ground turmeric
- ¾ teaspoon table salt
Let's Prepare
Collect
Gather these ingredients — no prep needed yet.
- 2 dried arbol chiles, stemmed
- 4 teaspoons dried shrimp
- ¼ cup tamarind juice concentrate
- ½ onion, chopped
- 3 makrut lime leaves, middle vein removed and sliced thin crosswise
- 2 tablespoons raw cashews, chopped
- 2 stalks lemongrass, trimmed to bottom 6 inches, tough outer leaves discarded, halved lengthwise, and minced
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 1 (3-inch) piece galangal, chopped
- 3 garlic cloves, peeled
- 1 tablespoon packed dark brown sugar
- 1½ teaspoons ground coriander
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- ¾ teaspoon paprika
- ¾ teaspoon ground turmeric
- ¾ teaspoon table salt
Let's Cook
-
Step 1.
Soak
-
Step 2.
2 dried, stemmed arbol chiles
-
Step 3.
and
-
Step 4.
4 teaspoons dried shrimp
-
Step 5.
in warm water for 20 minutes, then drain well.
-
Step 6.
Process soaked arbols and dried shrimp;
-
Step 7.
¼ cup tamarind juice concentrate
-
Step 8.
;
-
Step 9.
½ onion, chopped
-
Step 10.
;
-
Step 11.
3 makrut lime leaves, middle vein removed and sliced thin crosswise
-
Step 12.
;
-
Step 13.
2 tablespoons chopped raw cashews
-
Step 14.
;
-
Step 15.
2 stalks lemongrass, trimmed, halved, and minced
-
Step 16.
;
-
Step 17.
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
-
Step 18.
;
-
Step 19.
2 tablespoons water
-
Step 20.
;
-
Step 21.
1 (3-inch) piece galangal, chopped
-
Step 22.
;
-
Step 23.
3 peeled garlic cloves
-
Step 24.
;
-
Step 25.
1 tablespoon packed dark brown sugar
-
Step 26.
;
-
Step 27.
1½ teaspoons ground coriander
-
Step 28.
;
-
Step 29.
1 teaspoon ground cumin
-
Step 30.
;
-
Step 31.
¾ teaspoon paprika
-
Step 32.
;
-
Step 33.
¾ teaspoon ground turmeric
-
Step 34.
; and
-
Step 35.
¾ teaspoon table salt
-
Step 36.
until mixture forms a mostly smooth paste, about 5 minutes, scraping down sides of bowl as needed; set aside.