Beer makes batters better, meat more tender, and sauces more flavorful.

This fresh laksa paste made with aromatic lemongrass, ginger, and red chiles adds unbelievable authentic flavor to soups and curries.
1 teaspoon finely chopped fresh ginger
1 teaspoon finely chopped garlic
1 teaspoon finely chopped lemongrass
1 teaspoon finely chopped cilantro
2 red chiles, finely chopped
1 teaspoon shrimp paste
1 teaspoon ground turmeric
3 tablespoons olive oil
Combine all the ingredients in a food processor. Process until it forms a smooth paste, scraping down the sides as needed.
Store the paste in a tightly covered container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. The paste can also be frozen for up to 2 months. Use the paste to flavor laksa (a spicy noodle soup dish popular in South East Asia).
Add a splash of coconut milk to the laksa paste for a creamier texture and added richness in soups and curries.
Experiment with adding other fresh herbs like Thai basil or mint to the laksa paste for a different flavor.
Laksa paste is typically used in laksa soup, a coconut broth based noodle soup. But you can stir it into a variety of curries, soups, or stir-fries.
While it won't have quite the same flavor you can add 1 tablespoon of fish sauce in place of the 1 teaspoon of shrimp paste.
You can substitute dried lemongrass for fresh lemongrass, but be aware that dried lemongrass may have a slightly different flavor.
You can adjust the spiciness of the laksa paste by adding more or less red chiles or by removing the seeds before chopping them.
You can use vegetable oil or other neutral oils like canola or grapeseed oil as a substitute for olive oil in laksa paste.
Food Processor: Necessary for combining all the ingredients to create a smooth laksa paste. Be sure to scrape down the sides as needed to make sure everything is well mixed.
Tightly Covered Container: To store the laksa paste in the refrigerator or freezer. Make sure the container is airtight to keep the paste fresh.
Label: Helpful for labeling the container that holds the laksa paste, especially if storing it in the freezer. No one wants to play the guessing game of "Is this still good to eat?"
Spicy Stir-fry: Add a spoonful of laksa paste to your favorite stir-fry for an extra kick of heat and flavor. The aromatic ingredients in the paste will up the overall taste of your dish.
Marinated Grilled Shrimp: Use the laksa paste as a marinade for shrimp before grilling. The paste will create a delicious crust on the shrimp while infusing it with fragrant spices.
Sauteed Vegetables: Toss mixed vegetables in a bit of laksa paste before sauteing. The paste will add depth and complexity to your veggies, making them anything but boring.
Beer makes batters better, meat more tender, and sauces more flavorful.
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