This was also the first time my family visited me at my new place, and I’m glad it passed Mama Lin’s inspection. She kept commenting that my house was so clean that she couldn’t find a single hair anywhere and that my kitchen was very organized. I scored so many “trophy Asian daughter” points that day. Maybe my clean house will distract her from nagging me about getting a “real lawyer” job. Hah! Thanksgiving has come and gone, and chilly weather is finally settling in to Sacramento. I’ve dusted off the space heater, fuzzy boots, puffy jackets, and moccasins, which means I’m only half ready for the cold weather. I’ve been daydreaming about the curry laksa from Yotam Ottolenghi’s Plenty More for a long while, and the seemed like the perfect thing to make to help me deal with the brisk weather. As I was cooking this, the lovely fragrances of soup base swirled around my kitchen, and it will make your kitchen smell wonderful, too. I know that the ingredients list looks lengthy, but it comes together very easily. All you need to do is blend ingredients to make a paste, boil the broth, and cook noodles. That’s it! And this laksa totally hits the spot on those frigid nights when you can barely feel your toes. So let’s grab some chopsticks, and get ready to slurp!
MASTERING MY MISTAKES / COOKING NOTES
Cook Rice Noodles Separately: I used to always make the mistake of cooking noodles in the soup. The noodles absorbed a lot of liquid as it cooked, and there wouldn’t be enough soup for my slurping needs. Don’t make the same mistake, and cook your noodles separately! If you are making the noodles ahead, I suggest keeping the noodles submerged in cold water until you are ready to serve the laksa. The noodles will stick together if you let them rest on your counter.Adding Broccoli: I didn’t photograph it here, but I ate this with steamed broccoli, and it was amazing. The broccoli florets soaked up the laksa broth, and biting into them was a delightful flavor explosion.Spice it Up or Down: This recipe will yield a pretty spicy laksa. Feel free to skip the Thai chilis or harissa if you don’t want that much spice.Lemongrass Paste: I know that fresh lemongrass can be difficult to find, which is why I suggest using Gourmet Garden’s lemongrass paste. It comes in a tube that’s refrigerated, and lasts for a while. It’s great if fresh lemongrass is not readily available, or if you don’t have time to prep it. You should be able to find the lemongrass paste at a major supermarket. For those of you who are vegan, do note that this paste contains whey.
Disclosure: The link to Plenty More is an affiliate link, which means I earn a small commission if you decide to purchase the book through that link. This helps me keep the website going and pay for the groceries for these recipes! Thanks for your support!
