Keang Chu-Chi Goong: Chu-Chi Shrimp

Serves: 3

Kendrick Gleason

1 January 1970

Based on User reviews:

54

Spice

66

Sweetness

62

Sourness

42

mins

Prep time (avg)

4.9

Difficulty

Ingredients:

6 cloves

Garlic (minced)

2 cups

Vegetable Oil

2 tbsps

Palm Sugar

Directions:

1

Massage the shrimp with a few pinches of sea salt and place in a colander in the sink to drain for 10 minutes

2

Rinse with cool water and dry thoroughly with paper towels

3

In a 12-inch skillet, heat the oil over high heat for 2 minutes to 325 degrees

4

(You can also test for readiness by dipping the tip of a wooden spoon into the oil; if bubbles form around it, the oil is ready for frying

5

) Deep-fry the shrimp until golden, 1 to 2 minutes

6

Remove with a slotted spoon and drain on a tray lined with paper towels

7

Cover lightly with more paper towels and set aside

8

In a 12-inch skillet, mix the 2 cups coconut cream with the chile paste and set over high heat

9

Cook, stirring to prevent the paste from burning, until the mixture begins to bubble, about 2 minutes

10

Lower the heat to medium-high and continue to cook, stirring occasionally, until the mixture thickens and the oil separates, releasing tiny bubbles the color of the chile paste, about 7 minutes

11

Add the fried shrimp, stirring to coat well, increase the heat to high, and season with the fish sauce and palm sugar

12

Cook, stirring well, for 1 to 2 minutes, then transfer to a serving platter

13

Garnish with the fresh chile slivers, mint leaf strands, and kaffir lime leaf strands

14

Using a mortar and pestle, pound the sea salt and garlic into a paste

15

One at a time, add the cilantro roots and stems, chiles, dried shrimp, if desired, the peppercorns, caraway seeds, galangal, lemongrass, lime zest, and shallots in sequence, adding each new ingredient only after the previous one is pureed and incorporated into the paste

16

Add the grated coconut and mix well, then add the fermented shrimp paste and mix well

17

The chile paste can be stored in the refrigerator for at least 1 month

18

Yield: about 3/4 cup Fresh Unsweetened Coconut Cream and Milk: Fresh unsweetened coconut cream and milk are called for in many of these recipes

19

After peeling the dark skins off the chunks of white meat, cut the meat into 1 to 2-inch chunks and place them in a heavy-duty food processor fitted with the steel blade

20

(If the coconut meat has been frozen, thaw it completely before slicing and grinding

21

) Grind for 30 to 60 seconds

22

Pause to scrape down the sides of the processor bowl; then pulse and blend until the meat turn to pulp

23

Add 1 cup warm water and process for 30 seconds

24

Transfer the coconut meat and liquid to a large mixing bowl, preferably one with a spout for pouring

25

"Milk" the coconut - that is, massage and squeeze the meat at least 89 times

26

This is a Thai ritual believed to produce a rich and creamy coconut milk

27

It works! Place a fine-mesh strainer, potato ricer, or bouillon strainer over another large mixing bowl

28

Pour the coconut cream and meat into the strainer, then press firmly to extract the liquid from the pulp

29

Refrigerate the liquid for at least 1 hour

30

The thick cream will coagulate on top, leaving the whey, or milk, in the bottom of the bowl

31

Skim off the thick cream into a resealable plastic bag or plastic container and refrigerate or freeze

32

Meanwhile, put the coconut pulp back into the first mixing bowl

33

Pour 3 cups of warm water over the pulp, and massage and squeeze the coconut meat another 89 times

34

Strain the liquid into another bowl, as before, and refrigerate the liquid for at least 1 hour, giving the thick cream time to rise to the top

35

Skim off the cream and combine with the thick cream extracted from the first milking

36

Pour the thin whey into a separate glass or plastic container and refrigerate until ready to use

37

Cooks Note: More cream that can be used as cooking oil can be extracted from the thin whey after the second milking

38

Boil the milk gently in a large saucepan for 5 to 7 minutes

39

When the cream rises to the surface, skim it off and use as cooking oil to stir-fry chile or spice pastes

40

Then thin milk can be used for a broth to cook and tenderize meat