Monday 24 May 2010

Thai Yellow Curry Paste

I would be the last person to tell anyone don't buy curry paste or masala powder from shops.
As my powders are mostly bought from shops unless if i want to have a particular mix which is not available here.

My mom made her masala powders always , she never made in huge portions it was always jus for a couple of times and when that was finished she will make again.

I had given a party at home some two weeks back and while organizing the menu I had planned to make Thai yellow Shrimp Curry , ofcourse the recipe asked for yellow curry paste and in my mind i said Ok I have seen them in the shop here were they have a small section for Asian food.
Luck was not in my side as it was all sold out. And I didn't want to change my menu so I thought I will make my own paste.
After having the curry I must say I am happy they didn't had the paste in the shop as this was far and much more fresher tasting than the shop bought curry paste.

I had everything for making the curry paste except for Shrimp paste and I googled to see what it was and it was written it has such a pungent smell etc..... I thought it was OK not to add them.

If you don't want to make the curry paste then sure you can use the shop one.
I will post the recipe for the Yellow Shrimp Curry next week.

The recipe is from Rick Stein's Far Eastern Odyssey
I would suggest add the chillies according to your taste, I am giving the exact recipe from the book.

3 dried red kashmiri chillies
1 red bird's eye chillie roughly chopped
3 fat lemon grass stalks, core chopped
25 gm peeled fresh galangal or ginger roughly chopped ( I used galangal)
50 gm peeled fresh turmeric, chopped or 2 tsp turmeric powder ( I used turmeric powder)
50 gm onions or shallots, roughly chopped.
30 gm garlic cloves, roughly chopped
2 tsp shrimp paste (Didn't use)


Cover the dried red chillies in hot water and leave to soak for 30 minutes.
Then drain, reserving 2 tbsp of the liquid.
Put the chillies and the reserved liquid into a mini food processor with the remaining ingridients and grind everything into a smooth paste.
After using the amount for the Shrimp curry , I freezed the other portion of the paste for a another time.

38 comments:

FH said...

Yellow curry paste looks mouthwatering. Good that you made it at home. If you make it to last for 4-5 helpings, you can freeze it too for the next time, less work.

I know nothing tastes better than homemade pastes and powders. My grandmother made HUGE amount of Saaru Powder and distribute among all her children. She is no more and I make her powder and use it to make Sarru.Even my kids who usually prefer western food loves when I make Carrot Saaru with that pd. Runs in the blood, I guess! :))

Weather was horrid last weekend. It pored like hell for a while and then it was so humid. I had fry some Urad Bondas outside on the deck for dinner, was sweating Bullets! :P

Angie's Recipes said...

Homemade curry paste looks very delectible. I have almost all the ingredients, maybe I should make some and cook some Thai dishes!

Finla said...

Asha it is my first try in making them and yeah i freezed the rest for another time too.
Hi hi sweating bullets i hope nobody got hurt there from the sweating bullets :-)

Angie with your talent i am sure you will be albe to whipp up some super delicous curry with the paste.

indosungod said...

They even look so much nicer, HC. Nothing wrong with store bought powders but home made are the paste and without the preservatives.

Looking forward to the shrimp curry.

Shama Nagarajan said...

delicious recipe dear

shriya said...

Wow love the homemade curry paste. Tastes better than the store bought one. Thanks for sharing HC.

Sayantani Mahapatra Mudi said...

I always make thai curry pastes at home and in the absence of shrimp paste I sometimes use the paste of shrimp heads. this one looks lovely and you can freeze it too.

Aps Kitchen said...

Now m watching yellow curry paste in 2 places nd feeling like making it now... one is ur space nd one is on TV now...:D
luks gr8 nd awesome presented

Pavithra Elangovan said...

My vote is always to the home made one.. I for it wonderful freshness and aroma..mmm yummy..My nose can get the aroma from here.. looks awesome.

Namitha said...

Delicious..Never made this at home :-)Home made is the best, no doubt

MaryMoh said...

Wow....beautiful curry paste. I can only imagine how delicious it is to cook with chicken. I hope to make one day. Thanks for sharing.

pigpigscorner said...

I always use store-bought, too lazy =P. Your curry paste looks and sounds amazing!

Bong Mom said...

I have always bought Thai Curry pastes. This looks really good. I will try but no galangal so will add ginger maybe

Dewi said...

Yummy!!!!! I know how handy it is to have a homemade curry paste in your fridge. It sounds perfect!

Rajee Mani said...

Yummy homemade curry paste. I've never tried making one at home. Have always used the store bought ones for my thai curries ....

Usha said...

I agree home made is always way fresher and tastier ! This Thai curry paste looks just perfect, looking forward to trying it....

Desisoccermom said...

My mom too makes her masalas at home but except for cumin pwdr and dhana jeera pwdr, I too rely on store bought ones. The home made ones taste better, obviously. :) Especially, the wet ground masala paste.

Uma said...

nice dish. curry paste looks so good.

Cham said...

Till date I didn't try Thai curry paste, Gosh re u gonna post next shrimp thai curry? I am already drooling HC! It is always better homemade but other than Tamilian masala i don't make anything fresh at home!

Unknown said...

Thai cuisine(veg) I something I would want to try for a long time..
Somehow never could..thanks for the yellow paste recipe..

Hamaree Rasoi said...

thanks for sharing this homemade curry paste with us. Your curry paste looks great!!


Deepa
Hamaree Rasoi

Anonymous said...

A homemade curry paste sounds awesome! I can't wait for your curry shrimp recipe!

starry said...

your home made paste looks yummy.nothing compares to home made powders for freshness and taste.

Bombay-Bruxelles said...

This looks great! I'm waiting for the recipe :-)

I make most of my powders and pastes, too! It's easier that we think and the taste is incomparable. That's the topic of my next demo, btw.

Priya Suresh said...

Nothing will beat home made curry paste, looks fantastic HC..

jayasree said...

Anytime, fresh powders are best. Knowingly, we rely on store bought to make our job easier. Good that you tried so that you could share it with us.

Rachel said...

My mum makes most masala powders and sends them over..home made is always the best right...in all cases

sunita said...

Home made pastes are the best and yours looks lovely :-)

Indian Khana said...

Homemade is always gud we all know ...this looks too gud and total new for me...a must try I guess

AJ said...

That curry paste looks great!! yellow curry paste has an amazing flavour and fragrance.

Momgateway said...

I am intimidated about making the curry spices from such bit you make it sound so easy...lovely post

Dori said...

Nice, I can smell this fresh curry paste!

Cakelaw said...

I have never made my own curry paste - thanks for sharing.

Sushma Mallya said...

nothing better than a home made paste, fresh and delicious...

Shobha said...

Thai Curries are always so yummy..I just love them because they are spicy.
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arthi said...

wow!!home made yellow curry paste..have never tried.looks tasty:)

Susan from Food Blogga said...

I have tried shrimp paste before, and I have to say, I was turned off by the smell. I'd love to taste your curry paste. That's something I have only bought pre-made, but yours must be so much better.

Rina said...

Always wondered how to make thai pastes..thanx for the ingredients pic..