Thai Red Curry Paste Recipe - Chili Pepper Madness

Ingredients

• 6-8 dried red chilies, stems and seeds removed (about 1 ounce)
• 1 medium shallot (chopped)
• 4-6 cloves garlic (chopped)
• 1 tablespoon chopped galangal (chopped (or fresh ginger if unavailable))
• 1 stalk lemongrass (tender inner part only, thinly sliced (or 1 tablespoon lemongrass paste))
• 1 tablespoon chopped cilantro roots or stems
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 2 tablespoons fish sauce
• 1 tablespoon shrimp paste (kapi)
• 1 tablespoon neutral oil ((optional but helps blending))
• 1-2 teaspoons paprika
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• ½ teaspoon sea salt
• ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
• ½ teaspoon ground white pepper
• 1 teaspoon makrut lime zest ((or use 1 teaspoon regular lime zest, or 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice))