Recipe: Holy Basil Chili Paste

• Garlic (medium size) : 2 heads
• Red Chili pepper (dried or fresh) : 20-25
• Shallots : 2
• White Vinegar : 2-3 tbsp
• Sugar : 1 tbsp
• Peanut or sesame oil : 2-3 tbsp
• Salt to taste
• Fish sauce : 1 tsp (if using)
• 3 handfuls of cleaned and largely torn Holy Basil leaves

Method      (Use disposable gloves)                         

1. Peel the cloves of garlic and roast lightly on a griddle with help of few drops of oil. You can dry roast it too, but with oil it releases a great aroma.
2. If you are using fresh red chili, then you can chop them and directly proceed with the recipe. Use gloves!
3. Else if you are using dried red chili pepper, then remove seeds, and soak them in water until they become tender. Use gloves!
4. In a blender, blend garlic, red chili pepper, salt, sugar and vinegar to a fine paste.
5. Mince the shallots.
6. Heat the oil lightly, saute the shallots gently till the rawness disappear.
7. Switch off the heat and add the chill garlic paste, blend it well.
8. Check for salt and sugar.
9. Add fish sauce
10. Add Holy Basil leaves
11. Hand mix it well. Place in canning jar, and let sit in the refrigerator for at least 3 days before you use it.

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