Laksa Soup Recipe
Ingredients:
• 3 Tablespoons Vegetable oil
• 1 recipe for Laksa Paste ( see below) or 1 Jar of Prepared Laksa Paste
• 6 Cups chicken stock or broth
• 1 Tablespoon palm or brown sugar
• 1 1/2 pounds chicken ( breast or thigh meat) cut into bite sized pieces
• 1 pound raw large shrimp ( peeled )
• 2 Cups thick Coconut milk ( do not use “lite”)
• 12 fish balls ( optional- available in the frozen section of the Asian Market)
• 1-2 Cups fried tofu- ( optional- available in the refrigerated section at the Asian market) sliced
• 3-4 Cups fresh bean sprouts
• 1- 11/2 pounds fresh thin rice noodles ( refrigerated section at the Asian market)
• 1-2 limes
• Garnishes- lime wedges, cilantro, Vietnamese mint, sambal chili paste, fried shallots ( available in jars at Asian market)
Instructions:
Make the laksa paste ( or use store bought). In a large heavy bottom soup pot or dutch oven, heat 1 Tablespoon oil over medium high heat. Add all the Laksa Paste, and saute, stirring constantly until it becomes very fragrant, about 2-3 minutes. ( Turn stove fan on).
Add chicken broth and sugar.
Bring to a boil. Add chicken, lower heat to a simmer, and cook for 4 minutes. Add shrimp. Cook for 1-2 minutes, add coconut milk, fish balls and tofu. Simmer until heated through. Squeeze lime juice, starting with a 1/2 a lime, and more to taste.
In a separate pot, heat enough water to cover the fresh rice noodles. Once water is boiling add the rice noodles, turn heat off, and let rice noodles stand, heating up for 2 minutes, drain.
Divide noodles among bowls. Ladle soup over top of noodles. Top bowls with an handful of fresh bean sprouts, fresh cilantro and mint and a sprinkling of crispy shallots. Serve with chili sauce and lime wedges.
Laksa Paste
• 8-10 dried red chilies
• 2 Tablespoons dried shrimp (Available at Asian Markets)
• 5 shallots ( about 1 cupful ) roughly chopped
• 3 garlic cloves
• 2 Tablespoons galanga – finely chopped
• 2 large lemongrass stocks- finely chopped (1/2 Cup chopped) – find frozen chopped lemongrass at the Asian market.
• 1 teaspoon fresh turmeric ( or ground is OK too)
• 6 candle nuts or substitute cashews, brazil nuts or macadamia ( optional- you can leave the nuts out)
• 1 Tablespoon Shrimp paste ( or Shrimp sauce)
• 2 teaspoons coriander
• 1 teaspoon cumin
• 1 teaspoon sweet paprika
• 3 Tablespoons vegetable oil
To make Laksa Paste, seep dried chilies and dried shrimp in boiling water for 20 minutes. Prep and place all the other ingredients, except oil in a food processor. Drain shrimp and chilies and add to food processor. Blend until finely chopped, scraping down sides as needed. Add oil and continue blending until it becomes a fine paste. Don’t let the smell or taste scare you. It will all balance out in the end.