Basic Lemon Grass Curry Sauce

Ingredients

• ⅓ cup lemon grass, sliced
• 4 clove garlic
• 1 tsp galangal, dried
• 1 tsp ground turmeric
• 1 jalapeño chile stemmed and seeded
• 3 shallots
• 3½ cups coconut milk
• 3 lime leaves
• 1 pinch salt or shrimp paste

Directions

1. Purée together the lemon grass, garlic, galangal, turmeric, jalapeqos and shallots.
2. Bring the coconut milk to a boil and add the pureed ingredients, lime leaves, and salt and boil gently, stirring constantly, for about 5 minutes.
3. Reduce the heat to low and simmer, stirring often, for about 30 minutes, or until lime leaves are tender and the sauce is creamy.
4. Remove the leaves before serving.
5. To prepare one portion, pour ½ cup of this curry sauce into a shallow vessel or a wok.
6. Add ½ cup of meat or vegetables, bring to a medium boil and cook to desired degree.