Seafood Laksa Malaysian Coconut Curry

LAKSA SOUP - A MALAYSIAN COCONUT CURRY SOUP

Steps:

• Make the Laksa paste- see the notes below (or use store-bought laksa paste).
• Cook rice noodles according to directions. Set aside. See notes for fresh noodles.
• In a large heavy-bottom soup pot or dutch oven, heat 3 tablespoons oil over medium-high heat. Add all the homemade Laksa Paste (or the 7-ounce Jar), and saute, stirring constantly until it becomes very fragrant and deep in color about 2-3 minutes. (Turn stove fan on- it will smell strong- don't worry.). Add the chicken broth, scraping up all the brown bits. Add the lime leaves, salt and sugar and bring to a simmer.
• Add chicken and simmer 4-5 minutes. Add shrimp, cook for 2-3 minutes, add coconut milk. Simmer until heated through. Do not boil this too long or you will lose the lovely sweetness from the coconut milk- just gently warm.
• Add lime juice, starting with a 1 lime, and add more to taste. Add fish sauce to taste, adding a teaspoon at a time. The broth should taste rich and deep, and slightly salty (the noodles will mellow the salt out) and just a little limey. If it tastes, too "fishy" add more lime juice. Guests can squeeze more lime to taste. If you want more heat, add chili flakes or chili paste.
• Divide the cooked rice noodles among bowls. Ladle flavorful soup over top of noodles. Top bowls with a handful of fresh bean sprouts, fresh cilantro and/or mint. Serve with chili sauce and lime wedges.
• For rice noodles, calculate two ounces ( dry rice noodles ) per person.

SEAFOOD LAKSA (MALAYSIAN COCONUT CURRY)

Steps:

• Add the oil to a large pot. Add the Laksa paste and brown sugar. Cook 1 minute until fragrant. Pour in the chicken or seafood stock and add the Kefir leaves. Simmer for 5 minutes. Add the coconut milk and simmer 5 more minutes. Add the lime juice and fish sauce. Taste and adjust for more lime or fish sauce.
• Add the shrimp and cook 1 minute. Then add the scallops, lobster and crab meat. Cook 1 more minute and remove from heat. Remove Kefir leaves and discard
• Place the rice noodles in a bowl. Ladle the curry over the noodles and top with favorite toppings. I used scallions, red onion, microgreen, cilantro and bean sprouts plus extra lime wedge.