Ugly Baby’s Red Curry Paste

Directions

1. 1.

   Pound peppercorns and coriander seeds in mortar and pestle until finely ground (if using a food processor, you will want to grind these spices in a spice mill first). Add lemongrass and galangal and pound until ground to a coarse paste, 6–8 minutes. Add chiles (if you want, soak them in hot water 10–20 minutes beforehand to soften and make them easier to break up) and pound until pasty, 6–8 minutes. Add shallots, garlic, cilantro roots, and kaffir lime zest, if using, and pound until everything comes together in a relatively smooth paste, about 5 minutes. Mix in shrimp paste; taste and add more if needed.