Thai Curry Pastes Recipe

• 6 whole dried red New Mexico chiles
• 6 whole dried small hot red chiles
• 1 tablespoon coriander seed
• 1 tablespoon Thai shrimp paste
• 1 cup sliced pink Asian shallots
• 1/2 cup sliced garlic
• 2 teaspoons wild lime or Lime:Lime:lime peel
• 2 large stalks lemongrass
• 6 tablespoons finely chopped ginger
• 1 tablespoon cilantro root (optional)
• 1 slice peeled fresh tumeric or (1/4 teaspoon tumeric powder)

1. Trim and seed 6 each whole dried red New Mexico chiles and whole dried small hot red chiles. Soak in water to cover until soft and pliable, about 30 minutes.
2. In a dry skillet, toast 1 tablespoon coriander seed, then grind and reserve. Wrap 1 tablespoon Thai shrimp paste in aluminum foil and heat the packet in the same skillet, flipping frequently, until aromatic, about 5 minutes, then remove from heat and reserve.
3. Still using the same skillet, dry-roast 1 cup sliced pink Asian shallots and 1/2 cup sliced garlic until softened and lightly browned, about 5 minutes, and reserve.
4. Mince together 2 teaspoons wild lime or lime peel, the sliced heart of 2 large stalks lemongrass, 6 tablespoons finely chopped ginger, 1 tablespoon chopped cilantro root (optional), and one slice peeled fresh turmeric or 1/4 teaspoon turmeric powder.
5. Drain the chiles, reserving the liquid. Purée the chiles to a chunky paste in a food processor, then scrape in the shrimp paste from the foil and add the ground coriander, roasted shallots, and garlic, and the lime peel mixture, adding some of the reserved chile soaking liquid as needed, puréeing until smooth. Store in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.