Preparation / Directions:
* hard dark brown shrimp paste
Cut 4 green blue swimmers into quarters with a cleaver or large knife.
With a hammer, gently crack the claws and harder sections of shell. Finely chop 6 shallots and 2 stalks lemon grass. Steep 2 teaspoons tamarind in half a cup of boiling water. Chop a handful of fresh coriander leaves.
In a food processor, grind together 3 cloves garlic, 1 tablespoon fresh galangal, 2-3 birds-eye chiles, seeded, 4 candlenuts (or substitute 8-10 cashews) and 1 teaspoon blachan, 1 teaspoon turmeric and salt and pepper to taste. Heat 3 tablespoons oil in a large wok or pan, and fry the paste until fragrant.
Add shallots, lemon grass, crab pieces and 2 cups coconut milk. Simmer for quarter of an hour. Strain the tamarind water and add half to the sauce. Taste and add more if you wish. Ladle curvy into a serving dish and scatter the fresh coriander on top.
Serve with plain rice.
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