The secret to cooking squid so it's tender, not tough, is to cook it very quickly in small batches. Tossed with crunchy cucumbers, peanuts, and fresh red chiles, it makes a refreshing summer dinner spooned...
If using dried shrimp, grind to a powder in an electric coffee/spice grinder or use mortar and pestle. Seasoning paste can be made ahead and chilled, covered, up to 1 week or frozen 1 month.