Prawn laksa with rice noodles and crispy prawns recipe
 A fabulous, warming homemade laksa paste makes this Malaysian-Chinese fusion of spicy prawns in noodle broth. This dish serves two as a main course or four as a starter. 1 tsp ground coriander1 tsp ground cumin1 tsp turmeric2 small onions (about 190g/7oz), chopped50ml/2fl oz coconut milk2.5cm/1in piece of fresh root ginger, peeled and roughly chopped2 garlic cloves, roughly chopped2 stalks lemongrass (about 25g/1oz), roughly chopped2 Fresno or other medium red chillies, seeds removed, roughly chopped1 tbsp fermented shrimp paste 1 tsp ground coriander 1 tsp ground cumin 1 tsp turmeric 2 small onions (about 190g/7oz), chopped 50ml/2fl oz coconut milk 2.5cm/1in piece of fresh root ginger, peeled and roughly chopped 2 garlic cloves, roughly chopped 2 stalks lemongrass (about 25g/1oz), roughly chopped 2 Fresno or other medium red chillies, seeds removed, roughly chopped 1 tbsp fermented shrimp paste 400g/14oz uncooked de-veined prawns, with tails on4 tbsp vegetable oil350ml/12fl oz coconut milk500ml/18fl oz organic chicken stock2 dried lime leaves1 tbsp brown sugar3-4 tbsp fish sauce 2 pinches cracked sea salt 2 pinches of freshly ground black pepper 2 tbsp potato starch 100g/3½oz dried vermicelli rice noodles 1 large lime, juice onlychilli seasoning (powder or flakes), to taste (optional)80g/3oz beansprouts1 large spring onion, sliced on a deep angle to 1cm/½in piecessalt, to taste large handful of coriander leaves, to garnish1 large lime, sliced into wedges, to garnish 400g/14oz uncooked de-veined prawns, with tails on 4 tbsp vegetable oil 350ml/12fl oz coconut milk 500ml/18fl oz organic chicken stock 2 dried lime leaves 1 tbsp brown sugar 3-4 tbsp fish sauce 2 pinches cracked sea salt 2 pinches of freshly ground black pepper 2 tbsp potato starch 100g/3½oz dried vermicelli rice noodles 1 large lime, juice only chilli seasoning (powder or flakes), to taste (optional) 80g/3oz beansprouts 1 large spring onion, sliced on a deep angle to 1cm/½in pieces salt, to taste large handful of coriander leaves, to garnish 1 large lime, sliced into wedges, to garnish Method Put the ingredients for the laksa paste into a blender or food processor and process to a fine smooth paste.For the crispy prawn garnish put two tablespoons of the laksa paste into a bowl and add four of the whole prawns. Cover and set aside in the fridge to marinate while you make the soup. For the soup, heat two tablespoons of vegetable oil in a large wok and cook the remaining laksa paste for one minute until it deepens in colour. Stir in the coconut milk, stock, lime leaves, sugar and fish sauce and 300ml/10½fl oz water.Bring the soup to the boil and simmer for 20 minutes until the flavour deepens.While the soup is cooking and a few minutes before the soup is ready, prepare the crispy prawn garnish. Take the four marinated prawns out of the curry marinade, season with sea salt and black pepper and sprinkle over the potato starch. Heat a small pan, add two tablespoons of vegetable oil and cook the prawns for one and half minutes on each side until golden-brown, crisp and cooked through. Take off the heat but leave them in the pan to keep warm. To finish the soup, add the vermicelli rice noodles and stir while cooking for two minutes. Then add the remaining prawns and cook for two minutes. Season the soup with lime juice, (or salt and dried chilli flakes if preferred), add the beansprouts and spring onion. Remove the lime leaves, give it a final stir and then it is ready to serve. Divide the noodles evenly among the bowls and ladle over the soup. Garnish with the fried prawns, coriander leaves, and extra lime wedges. Put the ingredients for the laksa paste into a blender or food processor and process to a fine smooth paste. Put the ingredients for the laksa paste into a blender or food processor and process to a fine smooth paste. For the crispy prawn garnish put two tablespoons of the laksa paste into a bowl and add four of the whole prawns. Cover and set aside in the fridge to marinate while you make the soup. For the crispy prawn garnish put two tablespoons of the laksa paste into a bowl and add four of the whole prawns. Cover and set aside in the fridge to marinate while you make the soup. For the soup, heat two tablespoons of vegetable oil in a large wok and cook the remaining laksa paste for one minute until it deepens in colour. For the soup, heat two tablespoons of vegetable oil in a large wok and cook the remaining laksa paste for one minute until it deepens in colour. Stir in the coconut milk, stock, lime leaves, sugar and fish sauce and 300ml/10½fl oz water. Stir in the coconut milk, stock, lime leaves, sugar and fish sauce and 300ml/10½fl oz water. Bring the soup to the boil and simmer for 20 minutes until the flavour deepens. Bring the soup to the boil and simmer for 20 minutes until the flavour deepens. While the soup is cooking and a few minutes before the soup is ready, prepare the crispy prawn garnish. Take the four marinated prawns out of the curry marinade, season with sea salt and black pepper and sprinkle over the potato starch. While the soup is cooking and a few minutes before the soup is ready, prepare the crispy prawn garnish. Take the four marinated prawns out of the curry marinade, season with sea salt and black pepper and sprinkle over the potato starch. Heat a small pan, add two tablespoons of vegetable oil and cook the prawns for one and half minutes on each side until golden-brown, crisp and cooked through. Take off the heat but leave them in the pan to keep warm. Heat a small pan, add two tablespoons of vegetable oil and cook the prawns for one and half minutes on each side until golden-brown, crisp and cooked through. Take off the heat but leave them in the pan to keep warm. To finish the soup, add the vermicelli rice noodles and stir while cooking for two minutes. Then add the remaining prawns and cook for two minutes. Season the soup with lime juice, (or salt and dried chilli flakes if preferred), add the beansprouts and spring onion. Remove the lime leaves, give it a final stir and then it is ready to serve. To finish the soup, add the vermicelli rice noodles and stir while cooking for two minutes. Then add the remaining prawns and cook for two minutes. Season the soup with lime juice, (or salt and dried chilli flakes if preferred), add the beansprouts and spring onion. Remove the lime leaves, give it a final stir and then it is ready to serve. Divide the noodles evenly among the bowls and ladle over the soup. Garnish with the fried prawns, coriander leaves, and extra lime wedges. Divide the noodles evenly among the bowls and ladle over the soup. Garnish with the fried prawns, coriander leaves, and extra lime wedges. Recipe tips Check the chicken stock is gluten-free if you are cooking for someone who can't eat gluten.