Homemade Laksa Paste Food

SINGAPORE LAKSA RECIPE BY TASTY

Steps:

• Remove the heads and shells from prawns and set aside in a bowl, then devein and set the prawn meat aside in a separate bowl.
• To make the prawn stock, add cooking oil to a large saucepan on medium-high heat. Add prawn heads and shells then stir for 5 minutes, crushing the heads to release the flavour.
• Add water and chicken stock, then simmer for 45 minutes allowing the stock to reduce.
• Remove prawn shells then strain the broth into a bowl through a sieve.
• In a food processor, add dried chilli, red chilli, dried shrimp, shrimp paste (belacan), garlic, shallot, ginger, blue ginger (galangal), turmeric root, candle nuts and lemongrass stalk, then pulse for 5 minutes until a thick paste forms.
• Add cooking oil to a large saucepan then add the laksa paste and cook for 5 minutes until fragrant. Add palm sugar, fish sauce, coconut milk and prawn stock stirring to combine. Simmer the mixture for 15 minutes then add the prawns and tofu puffs, cooking for 3 minutes to finish.
• To serve, add vermicelli noodles to a bowl then top with bean sprouts, cockles and slices of fish cake. Ladle in scoops of the laksa making sure to include tofu puffs and prawns. Top with a handful of finely chopped laksa leaves and optional chilli paste.
• Enjoy!

LAKSA

Steps:

• Boil chicken and/or seafood to make stock. If you're using tofu, then deep-fry tofu. Drain.
• Make laksa paste. Spices are best ground on the stone mortar and pestle to form laksa paste. It is best to start working from the coriander seeds and add one ingredient at a time once the spices form a smooth paste. Add dashes of salt to make the tougher ingredients (e.g. chili, lemongrass, garlic) easier to grind. If you don't have stone, you can also use the food processor. If possible, avoid adding water to the laksa paste.
• Heat enough oil in a saucepan to cover laksa paste. Stir-fry laksa paste, basil leaves, and knotted lemongrass till fragrant then add chicken/seafood/tofu.
• Add stock and slowly bring to boil over low heat.
• Add coconut milk, stir, and simmer.
• Boil noodles and drain. Add sesame oil and set aside.
• Serve immediately with noodles and garnish.

LAKSA CURRY PASTE

Steps:

• Grind all ingredients together with a mortar and pestle or in a spice mill or food processor. Form a smooth paste.
• Will last up to 4 days if covered and stored in the refrigerator. If frozen in portions in zip-lock plastic bags, will keep 3 months.
• Note: To make soup, add coconut milk and an equal amount of fish or chicken stock, hokkien noodles (or egg noodles), spring onions, bean sprouts and fish or prawns. Simmer until tender. Or you can use this paste as a flavoring base for your favorite curry.