Malaysian Laksa

Ingredients

Spice Paste

• 4-5 shallots, chopped
• 6-7 garlic cloves, chopped
• 1 piece gingerroot, peeled and chopped (Thumb size)
• 1 red chile, fresh (more or less, depending to your taste)
• 1 tablespoon dried prawns or dried shrimp
• 1/2 cup water

Prawn or Shrimp Flavoured Oil

• 4 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 12 raw green prawns or green shrimp, shelled and divined

Laksa Broth

• 180 ml laksa paste
• 1 liter chicken stock or vegetable stock
• 400 ml coconut cream
• 320 g fish balls (optional)
• 320 g fried tofu, puffs halved (fried tofu puffs)
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 3 tablespoons fish sauce
• salt, to taste
• 1 lime, juice of

Toppings

• 160 g rice vermicelli
• 350 g egg noodles
• 1 chicken breast, cooked and shredded (boiled-stock can be used for the broth!)
• 1/2 cup bean sprouts
• 1 spring onion, chopped
• 1 red chile, sliced
• 4 tablespoons coriander leaves
• 2 tablespoons deep fried shallots
• fresh lime wedge

Directions

1. 1

   Shell prawns/shrimp and reserve prawn/shrimp in one bowl and heads and shells in a separate bowl. Set aside for later use.

2. 2

   Using a food process make 'Spice Paste' add shallots, garlic, ginger, chillies, dried prawns and water. Then blend until it forms a smooth paste. Set aside.

3. 3

   In a large pot, add vegetable oil and heat. Once the oil is hot add prawns/shrimp shells and fry for about one minute or until they turn red. Remove from pan and discard. This will add prawn/shrimp flavour to the oil.

4. 4

   To make the 'Laksa Broth' add 'Spice Paste' to prawn/shrimp flavoured oil and fry for a minute. Add laksa paste and simmer for about two minutes. Pour in the chicken or vegetable stock and bring to boil,.

5. 5

   Then add coconut cream, fish balls, fried tofu, sugar, fish sauce, salt and freshly squeezed lime juice. Bring to boil.

6. 6

   Half fill a medium pot with water and bring to boil. Add rice vermicelli for a few minutes until they become soft then remove into separate serving bowls.

7. 7

   Add egg noodles in boiling water for five minutes or until soft and transfer into the same bowls as rice vermicelli.

8. 8

   In the same pot poach reserved prawn/shrimp meat until it's pink then transfer them into the same bowl as the rice vermicelli and egg noodles.

9. 9

   Pour 'Laksa Broth' into the serving bowls (same bowls as the prawns/shrimp and noodles).

10. 10

    Then top with shredded chicken, bean sprouts, spring onions, chilli, coriander, fried shallots and serve with lime wedge's.

11. 11

    Enjoy.