Seafood Laksa Recipes

Steps:

• Remove the heads and shells from prawns and set aside in a bowl, then devein and set the prawn meat aside in a separate bowl.
• To make the prawn stock, add cooking oil to a large saucepan on medium-high heat. Add prawn heads and shells then stir for 5 minutes, crushing the heads to release the flavour.
• Add water and chicken stock, then simmer for 45 minutes allowing the stock to reduce.
• Remove prawn shells then strain the broth into a bowl through a sieve.
• In a food processor, add dried chilli, red chilli, dried shrimp, shrimp paste (belacan), garlic, shallot, ginger, blue ginger (galangal), turmeric root, candle nuts and lemongrass stalk, then pulse for 5 minutes until a thick paste forms.
• Add cooking oil to a large saucepan then add the laksa paste and cook for 5 minutes until fragrant. Add palm sugar, fish sauce, coconut milk and prawn stock stirring to combine. Simmer the mixture for 15 minutes then add the prawns and tofu puffs, cooking for 3 minutes to finish.
• To serve, add vermicelli noodles to a bowl then top with bean sprouts, cockles and slices of fish cake. Ladle in scoops of the laksa making sure to include tofu puffs and prawns. Top with a handful of finely chopped laksa leaves and optional chilli paste.
• Enjoy!

Steps:

• For laksa paste: place dried shrimp paste on a foil-lined baking tray and roast at 350 deg F (180C) for 5 to 10 minutes, until lightly roasted.
• Blend or process all the paste ingredients, including the roasted dried shrimp paste, until a smooth paste forms.
• Cut fish fillets into 1¼" pieces.
• Peel and de-vein shrimp, leaving tails intact Cut cleaned squid down one side to open out flat, score inside surface in a criss-cross pattern and cut into strips.
• Heat peanut oil in a wok until almost smoking, add laksa paste and stir-fry over medium heat for 3 to 5 minutes, stirring constantly until the oil has been absorbed and the paste is fragrant.
• Add palm sugar, coconut milk and fish or chicken stock, bring to the boil and allow to simmer for a few minutes.
• Season to taste with fish sauce, and add a little more palm sugar, if necessary, to balance the flavors.
• When ready to serve, add the fish, shrimp and squid (or chicken if you prefer), and simmer uncovered for a few minutes until the seafood (or chicken) is just cooked through.
• Meanwhile, heat the noodles according to packet instructions, drain, and keep warm.
• Lastly, add the crabmeat to the laksa and heat through gently.
• Remove laksa from heat and add the lime juice to taste.
• Divide the hot noodles, bok choy and mint leaves between serving bowls.
• Ladle hot soup over the top.
• Serve soup topped with cilantro sprigs, bean sprouts, fried shallots, and extra chili if desired.

Steps:

• Heat a wok over medium-high heat. Add the Laksa Curry Paste and cook, stirring, 2 to 3 minutes. Pour in the chicken stock, fish sauce, soy sauce, sugar, lime juice and coconut milk and stir well. Bring to a simmer, and then reduce the heat and cook for 5 minutes. Stir in the shrimp and cook until just cooked through, about 2 minutes. Meanwhile, bring a large pot of water to a boil and cook the noodles until al dente, about 3 minutes, and then drain and rinse under cold water to refresh. Add 3/4 cup of the bean sprouts to the shrimp mixture. Taste and adjust the seasoning with salt and cayenne pepper. To serve, divide the noodles between 2 large, shallow bowls and ladle the shrimp and broth over each. Garnish with clusters of cilantro and basil, sprinkle the remaining sprouts over the top and serve immediately.
• Combine the coconut milk, shrimp paste, oil, brown sugar, coriander, cumin, salt, turmeric, chili powder, garlic, lemongrass, ginger, onions and chiles in a food processor or blender and whiz into a smooth paste. Transfer to an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. Yield: about 2 cups.