Recipe - Simple Red Curry Paste

10 Dried long red chilies
4 sl Dried kaffir lime rind
(makrut)
1 1/2in lump fresh galangal
=OR=
4 dried quartersized pieces
1 teaspoon Whole coriander seeds
1 teaspoon Whole cumin seeds
2 Stalks fresh lemon grass
(white bottoms only),
cut into 1/2in pieces
2 Shallots
4 Cloves garlic
2 tablespoon Fresh coriander roots
1 teaspoon Shrimp paste (kapi)
3 tablespoon Vegetable oil

CRACK DRIED CHILES and shake out seeds. Remove and discard stems. Cover
pods with warm water for 15 minutes or until soft. Drain well. Soak dried
kaffir lime rind in warm water for 15 minutes or until soft. Do the same if
using dried galangal. In an ungreased skillet over medium heat, toast
coriander and cumin seeds for 3 minutes or until fragrant. When cool, in a
spice mill, finely grind the coriander and cumin seeds; remove and set
aside. In the spice mill, individually grind the reconstituted makrut rind,
galangal, lemon grass and chilies into a fine powder. As each ingredient is
done, remove and transfer it to a mini food processor or blender. Add the
shallots, garlic, coriander roots, shrimp paste and reserved coriander mix
to the processor or blender. Process or blend the mixture into a smooth
paste. Pour the oil down through the feed tube while processing. Transfer
mixture to a mortar and pound out any lumps into a smooth paste. Makes 1/3
Cup

From Gemini's MASSIVE MealMaster collection at www.synapse.com/~gemini