If you're a fan of spicy noodle soup, then you've probably heard of prawn laksa. This traditional Malaysian dish is a spicy and aromatic soup made with coconut milk, tamarind, and laksa leaves.
It's a popular street food in Malaysia and can be found in many Malaysian restaurants around the world.
To make prawn laksa, you'll need to prepare a laksa paste, which is made from a variety of spices and aromatics.
Once you have your paste, you'll cook it with coconut milk and other ingredients like prawns, noodles, and vegetables.
The result is a delicious and fragrant soup that's perfect for a cold day or when you're craving something spicy.
If you're new to prawn laksa, don't worry. It's easy to make and there are plenty of recipes available online.
With a few simple ingredients and some basic cooking skills, you can enjoy this delicious and comforting dish in no time.
Key Takeaways
- Prawn laksa is a traditional Malaysian dish that's popular around the world.
- To make prawn laksa, you'll need to prepare a laksa paste and cook it with coconut milk, prawns, noodles, and vegetables.
- There are plenty of recipes available online, so it's easy to make prawn laksa at home.
Preparing the Laksa Paste
To make an authentic prawn laksa, you need to start with a flavourful laksa paste. This paste is the base of the soup and is made by blending together a variety of spices and aromatics.
Selecting Ingredients
The first step in making the laksa paste is to gather all the necessary ingredients.
You will need shallots, garlic, lemongrass, chilli, ginger, and galangal.
These ingredients can be found at most Asian grocery stores or in the international section of your local supermarket.
When selecting your ingredients, make sure they are fresh and free from any blemishes or mould.
The shallots and garlic should be firm and have a strong aroma.
The lemongrass should be pale green and fragrant, while the chillies should be bright red and firm.
Blending Spices
Once you have gathered your ingredients, it's time to blend them together to create the laksa paste. You can use a food processor or blender to do this.
Start by peeling and roughly chopping the shallots, garlic, lemongrass, chilli, ginger, and galangal.
Add them to the food processor or blender and blend until a smooth paste forms.
The amount of each ingredient you use will depend on your personal taste preferences. If you like your laksa spicy, add more chillies. If you prefer a milder flavour, use less.
Once you have blended your laksa paste, it's ready to use. You can store any leftover paste in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week.
Cooking and Serving Prawn Laksa
If you're looking for a comforting and flavourful meal, prawn laksa is a great option. This dish is easy to make and is perfect for a cozy night in. Here's how to cook and serve prawn laksa.
Simmering the Broth
To start, you'll need to simmer the broth.
In a pan, combine chicken stock, coconut milk, and boiling water.
Add in your laksa paste and let it simmer for a few minutes.
This will allow all the flavours to meld together and create a delicious base for your laksa.
Cooking Prawns and Noodles
While the broth is simmering, cook your prawns and noodles.
In a separate pan, sauté the prawns until they're pink and cooked through. Then, drain them and set them aside.
Cook your rice noodles according to the package instructions and set them aside as well.
Garnishing and Serving
Once your broth, prawns, and noodles are ready, it's time to garnish and serve.
In each bowl, add your cooked noodles and prawns. Then, pour the hot broth over the top.
Garnish your laksa with bean sprouts, tofu puffs, cilantro, and spring onions.
Squeeze some lime juice on top and serve with lime wedges on the side.
Enjoy your delicious prawn laksa!
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you make the paste for a prawn laksa?
To make the paste for a prawn laksa, you will need a variety of ingredients including lemongrass, galangal, turmeric, garlic, shallots, and chillies.
You can either use a mortar and pestle or a food processor to blend the ingredients together until you have a smooth paste.
For a more authentic taste, you can also add dried shrimp or belacan (shrimp paste) to the paste.
Can you suggest a good Singapore-style prawn laksa recipe?
Yes, one of the highly recommended recipes for Singapore-style prawn laksa is the Asian Home Gourmet Singapore Laksa paste.
It is affordable and available at most supermarkets. You can also find many recipes online that use this paste as a base.
What noodles are best suited for a prawn laksa dish?
Traditionally, prawn laksa is made with rice noodles, also known as vermicelli noodles. However, you can also use egg noodles or even udon noodles if you prefer a thicker and chewier texture.
How do you incorporate coconut into a prawn laksa?
Coconut milk is a key ingredient in prawn laksa, giving the broth a rich and creamy texture.
To incorporate coconut milk into your prawn laksa, simply add it to the broth towards the end of the cooking process.
Be careful not to boil the coconut milk as it can curdle and ruin the texture of the broth.
What's the nutritional content of a typical prawn laksa?
The nutritional content of a prawn laksa can vary depending on the recipe and serving size.
However, in general, prawn laksa is a high-calorie dish due to the use of coconut milk and noodles.
It is also high in protein due to the prawns and fish cakes. If you are watching your calorie intake, it is best to enjoy prawn laksa in moderation.
What are the key differences between curry laksa and other types of laksa?
Curry laksa is a type of laksa that is made with a curry-based broth and coconut milk.
Other types of laksa, such as asam laksa and nyonya laksa, use a sour and tangy broth made with tamarind and other souring agents.
Additionally, the ingredients used in each type of laksa can vary, with some using seafood while others use chicken or beef.