Thai Curry Paste

Ingredients

• 5 whole black peppercorns
• 1 large dried red New Mexico chile (optional)
• 1 Tbs. coriander seeds
• 1 Tbs. chopped fresh or frozen galangal or fresh ginger
• 1 Tbs. coarsely chopped cilantro root (root plus about 1 inch of stem) or chopped cilantro stems and leaves
• 1 tsp. shrimp paste (optional)
• 3 stalks fresh lemongrass
• + 6 more ingredients
• • ¼ cup chopped shallots
  • 1 tsp. cumin seeds
  • 2 Tbs. chopped garlic
  • 1 tsp. finely chopped dried wild lime peel (soak in warm water before chopping) or lime zest
  • 1 tsp. kosher salt
  • ½ cup small dried hot red chiles (such as Thai bird chiles or chiles de arbol)

Open the chiles, breaking off their stems and shaking out and discarding most of their seeds. Break the pods into pieces. (Large chiles will be somewhat pliable, while small ones will be brittle.) Combine the chile pieces in a medium bowl and add warm water to cover them. Set aside to soak for ab...

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