6 ea Dried red chili peppers
1/4 ts Fennel seeds
1 ts Coriander seeds
1/4 ts Mace
1 ea Lemon grass stalk -=OR=-
1 ts Lemon grass, dried
1 ts Lemon zest
1 ts Galanga, fresh*
3 md Shallots, peeled & chopped
5 ea Garlic cloves, chopped
Cut the chili peppers into small pieces & soak in cold water for 15 minutes. Separate the seeds & discard them. In a dry skillet, toast the the fennel, coriander & mace over a very low flame for 5 minutes. Put all of the ingredients in a mortar or food processor & blend to a thick red-brown paste, adding drops of cold water to get the right consistency. Store in a tightly covered container in the refrigerator until ready to use. * If using dried galanga, soak for 15 minutes Makes 1/2 cup. Pojanee Vatanapan’s “Thai Cookbook”