farmandforage

There are variations, but this is the basic recipe I use: Thai Chili paste Red or Green 30 or so thai bird-eye chilies red and yellow or green, finely chopped (some seeds) I buy them on branches in season at the farmers market. (can use dried or frozen out of season) 4 teaspoons coriander seeds toasted and ground 2 fresh lemongrass stalks, 1 or 2 outer leaves discarded or about 4 tsp. chopped fine 1 teaspoon whole black peppercorns toasted and ground 4 teaspoons finely chopped peeled fresh or thawed frozen greater galangal 6 -12 medium sized fresh or frozen Kaffir lime leaves, finely chopped (remove tough center leaf stem) 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro roots or stems 5 small shallots, chopped (6 tablespoons) 1/4 cup chopped garlic 2 teaspoons ga-pi (Thai shrimp paste) (I’ve also been known to use shrimp or fish sauce) 1/2 teaspoon salt Prepare the mise of your ingredients (hardest part) Add them to your food processor and puree/pulverize until a paste forms. Add a bit of water if needed make smooth. (By all means do this in a large mortar and pestle if you have one- turns out great) I also sometimes buy pre-chopped lemongrass. You can freeze both leftover lemongrass and kaffir lime leaves for next time. I also freeze some of the Thai chili paste in ice cube trays for later. For Thai green chili paste use more green chilies less red.

I just made my first batches of red and green Thai chili paste. I don't know if it is so much better than store bought, but it is really good, and having made it from scratch I was much more likely to use it more often (might go bad w/no preservatives) in all kinds of dishes besides a coconut milk curry. I smeared it on fish for roasting, steak for flavor, even put it in guacamole when I had no other chilies. That's why I like to challenge myself to make something from scratch that I could easily buy. Inspiration! That said I do hesitate in making things that you have to make a lot of if it's just me eating it. So bread, cheese, Lasagna etc... I only make when I've got a crowd or event. Yes, I know the freezer option but a normal freezer can only hold so much. I started canning because of that problem- now I've got stacks of jars everywhere ha ha.

I go to a lot of different types of stores so it depends on whether it's a sample of something junk food-like (usually don't buy or even try) or a whole food preparation. I also like to try ethnic items I have never tried to see if it is a flavor profile I want to add to my own cooking. For instance I had never tried a homemade chaat/cracker mix and I loved the sample so much I bought a bag right there. I usually won't buy something I can make myself from scratch either. Unless... I want to make it and need to know what it should taste like. Other reasons to buy or not to buy after sampling are: Buy if it's a local purveyor/maker giving me the sample. These people are not just doing a job and are small businesses I want to support if I can. If something is prohibitively expensive I will make small talk after sampling and wish them luck with their business to get over the awkwardness of not buying it. I want to be careful of peoples feelings if the only reason is price. I will always buy a cut to order cheese if I like the sample. I can get a small piece as a treat and artisan cheese is so good. I guess I'm biased because I used to go to whole foods and other health food type stores and demonstrate whole food preparations using the featured product and/or other products like tofu ice cream etc. One funny thing I noticed is that often a person would pop a sample into their mouth and then ask what is in it. That got me into trouble sometimes with vegans or others if the preparation had an ingredient they didn't eat. Ask before you eat I would think!

I will eat... more great cheese to learn how it should taste. I will make... food for a larger audience than just my friends. I've got an opportunity to collaborate on an underground dinner and it's the biggest cooking adventure I've ever attempted. I will learn... to make jelly gel. Although those syrups make some mighty fine cocktails. And I'll learn to bake gluten free, just to see what can be done. I will read... more egullet forums on troubleshooting. Thanks for the help fixing my caramels. Oh and one more thing...I'll learn how to make one of my photos into my avatar. So far I can't make that work:0 Happy New Year!