Nam Prik Pao (Thai Chili Paste Recipe)
Thai Roasted Chili Paste Nam Prik Pao is a savory, spicy, sweet paste used as a condiment or a dipping sauce. The deep-roasted smoky flavors from all the ingredients make this sauce incredibly addictive.
- Prep time
- 15 min
- Cook time
- 20 min
- Yield
- 1 serving
- Difficulty
- MEDIUM
Ingredients
- 10 dried long red chilis. Large chili flakes are ok to use. Fine chili powder is not recommended. Remove seeds to reduce heat from the hot peppers.
- 1 cup oil. Canola, vegetable, or avocado oil is best for this recipe.
- 1 whole head of garlic (1.25-1.5 oz) sliced thin and long.
- 1 cup shallot, sliced thin and long
- 1/3 cup dried shrimp
- 2 tsp shrimp paste
- 3/4 cup sugar, brown, cane, monk fruit, or palm sugar
- 2 tbsp tamarind concentrate
- 3+1/2 tbsp fish sauce
- 1/3 cup water
Instructions
- 1
Add the oil over medium-high heat in a medium saucepan wok or any pan for deep frying; add the shallot slices once hot. Fry the shallot for 3-4 minutes or until the pieces turn golden brown. Transfer with a slotted spoon into the lined plate. Tips* While the oil is heating up, get a plate lined with paper towels to set on the side for transferring the
- 2
Fry the dried shrimp in oil next. These cook very fast, so do not cook longer than 1 minute. Transfer the shrimp to the plate with fried shallot.
- 3
Add the sliced garlic to the hot oil. Garlic will cook very quickly, especially if they are sliced small. (15-30 seconds)Cook only for a few seconds until lightly golden brown. Then quickly transfer it to the plate.
- 4
Add the red chilies next, and fry for a minute or less. Transfer to the same plate.
- 5
Last, fry shrimp paste until dissolved. The paste will dissolve quickly into the oil. It's ok. It's seasoning the oil for the next step! Remove the pan from heat, transfer it to a heat-proof bowl, and let it cool to room temperature. Turn your vent for this part! Burn a candle or incense afterward to help with the smell. It's worth it, I promise! (:
- 6
Let all the fried ingredients cool, then transfer everything to a small food processor.
- 7
Grind everything in the food processor, plus 1/3 cup oil from the pan with dissolved shrimp paste. Grind until oily paste forms, and stop a few times to scrape the sides of the food processor to get a smooth paste. Grind until you are happy with the texture. I like mine on the semi-side for textures. (:
- 8
Heat the same skillet or wok with the oil from frying the ingredients over medium heat. Once hot, add the paste from the food processor and whisk all together well.
- 9
Time to season the paste next! Add water, sugar, fish sauce, and tamarind, whisk some more and let the paste cook for 8-10 minutes until you get a jammy consistency. Stir frequently to prevent the thick paste from sticking to the pan.
- 10
Remove from pan into a glass bowl, let cool, and use immediately. Or store in a dry clean jar or an airtight container and keep in the fridge for up to 4 weeks and in the freezer for up to 4 months.