Thai Yellow Curry Paste

A common curry paste in Thailand's southern provinces, this particular curry incorporates Indian-style curry powder with some of the more traditional Thai curry ingredients.

1/4 cup dried red chilis
4 shallots
8 garlic cloves
2 stalks lemongrass, white parts only
1 tsp. fresh galangal, grated
1 tsp. ginger, grated
1 TB coriander seed
1 tsp. cumin seed
2 tsp. curry powder
1/8 tsp. ground nutmeg
1 tsp. sea salt
1 tsp. soybean paste or miso

Remove seeds from chilis and soak in water for 20 minutes, until soft. Lightly brown whole garlic and shallots in broiler or over hot coals. Remove chilis from water and combine with garlic, shallots, galangal, lemon grass, and ginger, and pound or process until smooth.

Toast coriander seeds and cumin seeds in a dry pan over medium heat until lightly browned and aromatic. Grind to a powder in a mortar and pestle or spice mill. Combine with curry powder, nutmeg, and sea salt.

Add spice mixture and soybean paste to the existing paste and pound or process more until fully combined.