Fresh green chilies, Thai basil and kaffir lime are just a few of the ingredients that make up this vibrant Thai green curry paste. Added to seafood, meat or vegetables, it'll definitely awaken your taste buds.
To make the green curry paste, first prepare your mise en place. Finely mince the lemongrass, galangal, garlic, shallots, coriander root and the chilies.
Peel and mince the turmeric. Keep in mind that it will stain your cutting board, hands, and anything it comes into contact with. Gather the kaffir lime, shrimp paste and Thai basil and set aside.
In a small fry pan, toast the coriander and cumin seeds until they release their aroma and start to brown slightly.
To make the paste, use a mortar and pestle. Grind the spices, peppercorns and salt into a fine powder.
Next, add the lemongrass and pound until you reach a smooth paste, scraping down the sides as needed. Add the galangal, followed by the turmeric, making sure each is fully incorporated before adding the next. Add the garlic, cilantro stems, chilies and shallots.
Zest and add the kaffir lime, followed by the shrimp paste. Finely chop the basil and add it to the mortar and pestle, pounding everything into a smooth paste.
The paste can be kept in the refrigerator for a few days or frozen for a few months.
This paste will keep in the refrigerator for a few days; however, it will oxidize and change color, but the flavor won’t be affected. To maintain its color, it can be frozen for a few months.
Vegetarian Version:
To make this paste vegetarian, simply substitute the shrimp paste with vegetarian fish sauce or soy sauce.
