Laksa Lemak (Malaysian recipe, it's wicked good!)
Ingredients (serves 4)
250g dried rice vermicelli noodles
1 tablespoon peanut oil
1/2 cup laksa paste (see related recipe)
4 cups chicken stock
2 teaspoons grated palm or brown sugar
2 cups coconut milk
20 green medium-king prawns, peeled, tails intact, deveined
6 squares fried bean curd puffs, thickly sliced
2 green onions, thinly sliced
1/2cup beansprouts, trimmed
1 Lebanese cucumber, peeled, cut into thin strips
1/2 cup mint leaves
1/2 cup coriander leaves
Directions
Place noodles in a heatproof bowl. Cover with boiling water. Stand for 5 minutes or until tender. Drain and set aside.
Heat a wok over high heat until hot. Add oil and swirl to coat. Add laksa paste. Stir-fry for 2 to 3 minutes or until aromatic and oil separates from paste. Add stock and sugar. Bring to boil. Reduce heat to medium-low. Add coconut milk and stir until hot.
Add prawns to wok. Cook for 2 minutes or until prawns turn pink. Stir in bean curd puffs and onions.
Divide noodles between serving bowls. Top with prawns and bean curd puffs. Ladle over remaining soup. Top with beansprouts, cucumber, mint and coriander. Serve.
Laksa paste for laksa lemak
Ingredients
6 dried small red chillies, deseeded
2 teaspoons shrimp paste
1 brown onion, chopped
2 stalks lemongrass, trimmed, white part finely chopped
3cm piece galangal, peeled, chopped
5 candlenuts or brazil nuts
2 garlic cloves, chopped
1/2 teaspoon ground turmeric
1 tablespoon peanut oil
Directions
Place chillies in a heatproof bowl. Cover with boiling water. Stand for 20 minutes or until soft. Drain well. Roughly chop.
Wrap shrimp paste in foil. Heat in a frying pan over medium heat for 2 to 3 minutes each side or until roasted.
Process chillies, roasted shrimp paste and remaining ingredients until well combined. Store paste in a clean, airtight jar in the fridge for up to 6 months.