Thai Yellow Curry Noodles with Shiitake Mushrooms

Ingredients

• 2 large shallots, quartered
• 6 garlic cloves
• 1 (3-inch) piece peeled ginger
• 2 (1-inch) pieces lemongrass each sliced in half lengthwise
• 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
• 2 teaspoons shrimp paste (or anchovy paste OR mushroom sauce*)
• 1 1/2 teaspoons curry powder
• 1 teaspoon ground coriander
• 1 teaspoon ground turmeric
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1/2 teaspoon ground white pepper
• pinch cinnamon
• 12 dried Thai chiles (birds eye chiles), seeded and soaked in warm water for 30 minutes
• 1/2 bunch cilantro leaves and stems, plus more leaves for garnish
• 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
• 4 ounces shiitake mushrooms, stemmed and thinly sliced
• 2 (15 ounce cans) coconut milk (not lite coconut milk)
• 1 tablespoon fish sauce (or mushroom sauce*)
• 1 lime, juiced
• 12 ounces lo mein noodles
• salt to taste, as needed

Instructions

1. 1

   Preheat oven to 375˚F.

2. 2

   Yellow curry paste: Place shallots, garlic, ginger, and lemongrass over a sheet of foil and drizzle with oil and lightly season with salt.

3. 3

   Wrap foil into a tight bundle, place directly onto a rack in the oven and lightly roast ingredients for 15 minutes. Remove from heat, open bundle and transfer to a food processor. Allow mixture to cool, about 10 minutes.

4. 4

   Add remaining paste ingredients into the food processor and pulse 6 to 8, times before fully pureeing until mixture is thick and smooth. Set aside.

5. 5

   Fill a large pot with water and bring to a boil over high heat. Add noodles and boil until cooked through, 4 to 5 minutes. Drain, rinse with a little cold water and set aside.

6. 6

   In the same pot heat oil over medium-high heat. Add mushrooms and sauté for 3 to 4 minutes.

7. 7

   Lower heat to medium and add a third of the curry paste (place remaining paste in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 2 weeks). Toast paste with the mushroom for 1 to 2 minutes.

8. 8

   Stir in coconut milk until mixture is smooth and bring to a simmer. Stir in fish sauce (or mushroom sauce) and lime juice and simmer for 5 minutes.

9. 9

   Add noodles and toss together until fully coated. Simmer for an additional 2 to 3 minutes.

10. 10

    Adjust seasonings, if needed, top with cilantro and serve.