Assam Laksa

2 dried chillies, roasted

1 tsp coriander seeds, roasted

2 tsp shrimp paste, roasted

1 red onion, diced

4 cloves garlic, chopped

1 tsp lime zest

1 stalk lemongrass, green part only roughly chopped

1 tsp galangal, roughly chopped

4 red chilles

¼ cup macadamias

1 tbls coriander roots and stems

1 tsp turmeric powder

1 tbls olive oil

1 litre fish or vegetable stock

2 tbls laksa paste (above)

1 tbls tamarind paste

1 pkt. silken tofu (UHT), large cubed

8 fish balls (from chinese supermarket)

4 small bundles of rice vermicelli, soaked in hot water

1 tbsp fish sauce (maybe)

Garnish - vietnamese mint, bean sprouts, lime wedges quartered, spring onions cut on the diagonal