Thai Red Curry Paste

Name: Thai Red Curry Paste
Total time: PT0D0H0M
Yield: makes About 1 Cup
Ingredients: 8 dried chiles de árbol, stemmed and seeded; 1 tbsp. coriander seeds; 2 tsp. cumin seeds; 1 tsp. white peppercorns; 3 cardamom pods; 1 ⁄ 4 cup roughly chopped cilantro (with stems); 2 tbsp. canola oil; 2 tsp. fish sauce; 2 tsp. kosher salt; 1 ⁄ 4 tsp. freshly ground nutmeg; 5 cloves garlic, smashed; 3 shallots, roughly chopped; 2 holland or Fresno chiles, stemmed, seeded, and chopped; 2 stalks lemongrass, tough outer layers discarded, tender interior layers finely chopped; 1 (1"-piece) ginger, peeled and roughly chopped

Serves
makes About 1 Cup

ANDRÉ BARANOWSKI

This is one of the most versatile and flavorful curry pastes found in Thai cuisine.

Ingredients

8 dried chiles de árbol, stemmed and seeded
1 tbsp. coriander seeds
2 tsp. cumin seeds
1 tsp. white peppercorns
3 cardamom pods
¹⁄₄ cup roughly chopped cilantro (with stems)
2 tbsp. canola oil
2 tsp. fish sauce
2 tsp. kosher salt
¹⁄₄ tsp. freshly ground nutmeg
5 cloves garlic, smashed
3 shallots, roughly chopped
2 holland or Fresno chiles, stemmed, seeded, and chopped
2 stalks lemongrass, tough outer layers discarded, tender interior layers finely chopped
1 (1"-piece) ginger, peeled and roughly chopped

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Instructions

Step 1

Break the chiles de árbol into pieces, transfer to a small bowl, and cover with 1 cup boiling water. Let soak until softened, about 20 minutes.

Step 2

Meanwhile, add coriander, cumin, peppercorns, and cardamom to an 8" skillet over medium heat. Toast spices, swirling constantly, until very fragrant, about 4 minutes. Transfer spices to a grinder and grind to a fine powder. Set aside.

Step 3

Strain chiles de árbol through a sieve, reserving liquid. In a food processor, combine chiles de árbol, ground spices, cilantro, oil, fish sauce, salt, nutmeg, garlic, shallots, fresh holland chiles, lemongrass, and ginger. Purée until the paste is smooth, about 2 minutes. (Sprinkle in a tablespoon or two of reserved chile soaking water to help paste grind.) Refrigerate for up to 1 week or freeze for up to 3 months.