Ingredients:

  Amount  Measure       Ingredient -- Preparation Method
--------  ------------  --------------------------------
   2                    shallots -- minced
   2                    garlic cloves -- minced
   1      stalk         fresh lemon grass -- finely chopped
   1      tablespoon    red curry paste -- =or=
   1      teaspoon      cayenne pepper
     1/4  cup           crunchy peanut butter
   1      tablespoon    palm sugar or brown sugar
   1      tablespoon    fish sauce -- (nam pla)
   1      cup           thin coconut milk

Preparation:

Use this spicy peanut sauce with all types of Thai-flavored noodles or grilled meats. In a sauce pan, sauté shallots, garlic and lemon grass until soft. Add red curry paste and cook for 1 minute until fragrant. Add peanut butter, palm sugar, fish sauce and coconut milk. Cook over medium heat until thick (about 15 minutes). Add water if it is too thick. Pour into a shallow bowl. To prepare thin coconut milk: Pour 1 can unsweetened coconut milk into a tall glass. Allow to sit for at least 1 hour so the thick cream rises to the top. Skim off top (cream) and set aside. The rest is thin coconut milk.