Sambal Belacan Paste (Spicy Shrimp Paste)

It's been awhile since I cook my homemade sambal belacan(minus the belacan) for storage.The last batch I make was end of 2007!!.Of course I freeze it ,if not it will get moldy in the fridge.I'm been thinking for the longest ,how to fried belacan at home?As you all know living in western world ,frying or cooking belacan is "No...No"!!.I recalled years ago when I cooked spicy dried shrimp not the paste,Elliot was yelling like bloody murder!!.He said the pungent smell and spiciness choked his eyes and nose.Too bad at that time it's was winter,all doors and windows has to closed.I guess he used to my daily exotic cooking,these days he didn't complaint or make any remark!!.Practise make prefect!!.On July 4th,I BBQ our lunch and dinner on charcoal grill.After grilling all the foods,I plan to fried pungent belacan(dried shrimp paste) outdoor!Don't ask me how our neighbour feel!!hahaha!!I told Elliot the smell is FREE,not everyday they can smell this exotic flavour!

Ingredients:

200 gm dried chili pepper(soaked hot water for 20 min)

10 fresh red chili pepper

20 cloves fresh garlic(peel)bawang putih

1 lb shallot(peel)bawang kecil merah

3-5 inch old ginger(halia)

1 inch fresh tumeric(kunyit)

2-3 inch galangal(lengkus)

2 bundle lemongrass (10 stalk)(sliced)

10 pcs candlenut(buah keras)

1 cup oil

*Blend above ingredient until fine*

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2 tbsp salt

3 tbsp sugar

2 tbsp fried belacan (dried shrimp paste)

1 cup oil

Method:

1:Blend above ingredients until fine.Prepares wok with oil over medium heat.Add the blended paste into the wok,fry until fragrant.(About 30 minutes)

2:Add in all the seasoning ,plus belacan and mixed well.Fried for another 5 minutes before removed wok from the heat.

3:Let it cool down before storage.

Note:

This paste is good to use for curry ,rendang or sambal base.If you're cooking curry,just add in curry paste on top of this ready prepared paste.If you're cooking sambal,you can add in ground dried shrimp(hei bee) or kaffir lime leaves..I bet your own homemade sambal belacan is much much better than the brand out there!.Don't worried,you can store in freezer up to 1 year.Just take a small portion out for your daily usage from fridge.I think this batch will last me 6 months.Try to make homemade sambal belacan yourself,no preservative added,more healthy.

Suggestion Dish:

Rendang Ayam(Dry Curry Chicken)

Ayam Masak Lemak(Creamy Curry Chicken)

Curry noodles Soup

String Beans with Shrimp Sambal

Spicy Creamy Sambal Shrimp