STANLEY'S LAKSA PASTE

Stanley's Laksa Paste image

Provided by Martha Stewart

Yield Makes 1 3/4 cups

Number Of Ingredients 12

5 stalks lemongrass, trimmed and roughly chopped
10 garlic cloves, roughly chopped
1 piece (1 inch) fresh turmeric, peeled and roughly chopped
1 piece (3 inches) fresh galangal, peeled and roughly chopped
1 piece (3 inches) fresh ginger, peeled and roughly chopped
15 candlenuts, or macadamia nuts
1 medium onion, roughly chopped
4 large red chiles, stemmed and roughly chopped
4 red-bird chiles, stemmed and roughly chopped
1 teaspoon Malaysian shrimp paste
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1 1/2 tablespoons Indonesian palm sugar

Steps:

In a food processor, combine lemongrass, garlic, turmeric, galangal, ginger, candlenuts, onion, chiles, shrimp paste, and 1/2 cup water. Process to form a smooth paste.
In a medium skillet, heat oil over medium-high heat. Add paste mixture and cook, stirring constantly, until golden and aromatic, 15 to 20 minutes. Remove from heat, and add palm sugar, stirring to dissolve. May be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 month.