Best Tropical Asian Curry Paste Recipes

Red Curry Paste image

Provided by Food Network

Time 40m

Yield 1 cup

Number Of Ingredients 12

1/2 cup small dried red chiles, seeded and coarsely chopped
10 whole peppercorns
1 tablespoon whole coriander seed, toasted
1 teaspoon cumin seed, toasted
2 stalks fresh lemongrass
1/4 cup coarsely chopped fresh cilantro root, or leaves and stems
2 tablespoons finely chopped, peeled fresh galanga or ginger
1 teaspoon minced wild or domestic lime zest
2 tablespoons coarsely chopped garlic
1/4 cup coarsely chopped shallot
2 teaspoons shrimp paste
1 teaspoon salt

Steps:

Place chiles in a small bowl of warm water to soak for 20 minutes. Combine the peppercorns, coriander seed and cumin seed in a mortar and grind to a powder with a pestle, or use a spice grinder. Set aside.
Trim any grassy tops and hard roots off the lemongrass, then finely chop the stalk. Place the lemongrass, cilantro, galanga and lime peel in the mortar and grind to break them down. Add the garlic and shallot and grind until a moist paste forms, about 5 minutes.
Drain the chiles and add them to the paste in the mortar. Add the spices, shrimp paste and salt and grind well. Transfer paste to a jar, cover tightly and refrigerate.

Tropical Asian Curry Noodles with Rock Shrimp image

Provided by Ming Tsai

Categories main-dish

Time 40m

Yield 3 to 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 11

1/2 cup curry paste, recipe to follow
2 tablespoons coconut milk
2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
2 tablespoons fish sauce
1/2 pound rock shrimp, rinsed and drained
1/2 pound shanghai egg noodles, blanched and refreshed
1 cup chopped garlic chives
1 cup bean sprouts
1 red bell pepper, julienned
2 heads bok choy, julienned
1 cup snow peas or snap peas, blanched and refreshed

Steps:

In a hot wok, add curry paste, coconut milk, juice and fish sauce and mix well. Add shrimp and quickly cook, about 1 minute. Add noodles, chives and vegetables and mix well, being careful not to overmix. Check for seasoning and serve hot.