Nam Prik Gang Kiew Wan: Thai Green Curry Paste Recipe

One of Thailand's more popular curries is of the green variety, made with a green curry paste base.  Green curry paste is very easy to make at home, even though it can be purchased from Asian grocers.  Homemade paste is fresher, making the curry more pungent and burst with flavor.

Thai Green Curry Paste

Ingredients

• 10 green chilies, fresh

• 2 tablespoons lemongrass, chopped (can substitute lemon peel)

• 1 tablespoon coriander root, chopped

• 1 tablespoon red onion, chopped

• 1 tablespoon garlic, chopped

• 1 teaspoon kha, chopped

• 1 teaspoon coriander seeds, pounded

• 1 teaspoon caraway seeds, pounded

• 7 white peppercorns

• 1 teaspoon salt

• 1 teaspoon shrimp paste or kapi

Thai Green Chilies

Instructions

1. Stir-fry all ingredients together, except the kapi, in a pan until they are all mixed and fragrant.
2. Place stir-fried ingredients into a mortar.
3. Add kapi.
4. Using the pestle, pound the mixture into a smooth paste.
5. The paste can be stored in a jar and used as needed.

Thai green curry paste is used in a variety of dishes.