Spicy Chicken Laksa

laksa paste

• 10 dried red chilies, stemmed
• 8 raw cashews
• 6 dried shrimp
• 1 ½ teaspoons ground coriander
• 1 ½ teaspoon sweet paprika
• 1 teaspoon cumin
• ½ teaspoon Turmeric
• 8 shallots, peeled and chopped
• 4 garlic cloves
• 3 inch piece lemongrass (white part only), chopped
• 2 inch piece of galangal, peeled and chopped
• 1 ½ tablespoons shrimp paste
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil

assembly

• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• 1 (15 ounce) can baby corn, drained and chopped into 1 inch pieces
• 1 ½ cups unsalted chicken stock
• 15 ounces coconut milk (1 can)
• 2 makrut lime leaves plus zest or juice and zest of 2 regular limes
• 6 ounces dried rice stick noodles, soaked in hot water for 10 minutes and drained
• 1 cup cooked, shredded chicken heaping
• salt and pepper to taste

Optional garnishes

• green onion
• cilantro leaves
• fried shallots
• bean sprouts
• Lime wedges
• Sliced jalapeño or serrano peppers