• 4 red chillies, green stems removed
• 10 shallots or 1 large red onion, peeled
• 8 cloves garlic, peeled
• 1 thumb galangal, peeled and roughly chopped
• 2 stalks lemongrass, peeled and finely sliced (thick end only)
• 3 coriander roots, washed and finely chopped (optional)
• 1 teaspoon lime zest
• 1 teaspoon white peppercorns, ground
• 2 teaspoons coriander seeds, toasted in a pan until golden, then crushed
• ½ teaspoon ground cloves
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 125 ml(4 ¼ fl oz) water
• 2 tablespoons light cooking oil

Place all ingredients in a blender or food processor and blitz to a fine paste.