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1
To make the flavoring paste, place the shrimp paste in the center of a 5-inch (13-centimeter) square of aluminum foil.
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2
Fold the edges of the foil over to form a small parcel, and press down with the hell of your hand to flatten the shrimp paste into a disk 1/4 inch (6 millimeters) thick.
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3
Heat a gas burner to medium-low or an electric burner to medium-high.
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4
Using a pair of tongs or 2 forks, place the sealed parcel directly on the heat source.
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5
Toast until the paste begins to smoke and release a burning shrimpy smell, about 1 1/2 minutes.
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6
With the tongs or forks, turn the parcel over and toast the other side for another 1 1/2 minutes, then turn off the burner.
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7
Again the using the tongs or forks, remove the parcel and let cool for 30 seconds to 1 minute.
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8
Carefully unwrap the foil, the edges of the disk should be black-brown and toasty and the center should be golden with some black-brown patches.
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9
Using a spoon, scrape the toasted shrimp paste into a small bowl and allow it to cool for another 30 seconds.
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10
Discard the foil.
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11
Place the toasted shrimp paste, shallots, garlic, chiles, turmeric, and candlenuts in a small food processor.
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12
Pulse until you have a smooth paste the consistency of creamy mashed potatoes.
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13
If the paste wont puree properly and reputedly creeps up the side of the processor instead of grinding, add up to 2 tablespoons water, 1 tablespoon at a time, periodically turning the processor off and scraping the ungrounded portions down toward the blade.
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14
Heat the 4 tablespoons oil in a 4-quart (4-liter saucepan, Dutch oven, or soup pot over medium-low heat.
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15
Test to see if the oil is the right temperature by adding a pinch of the ground paste.
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16
The paste should sizzle slightly around the edges, not fry aggressively or sit motionless.
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17
When the oil is ready, add all the paste and saute, stirring as needed to prevent scorching, until the shallots and garlic no longer smell raw and the paste begins to separate slightly from the oil, 5 to 7 minutes.
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18
Be careful not to let the flavoring paste cook for too long.
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19
It should be limp and silken, not golden and crusty.
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20
Add 1/2 cup (4 fluid ounces/120 milliliters) of the coconut milk and all the water.
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21
Raise the heat to medium and bring the liquid to a steady simmer, stirring constantly.
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22
Add the green beans, carrots, sugar, and salt and stir to combine.
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23
Reduce the heat to medium-low and let the vegetables simmer gently uncovered, stirring occasionally, until they are fork-tender and only slightly crunchy, about 15 minutes.
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24
(Dont let the liquid boil, or the coconut milk may curdle.
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25
You may need to adjust the head periodically if the simmer becomes too vigorous or too slow.)
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26
Meanwhile, deep-fry the tofu.
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27
Dry the tofu triangles thoroughly with paper towels.
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28
Pour oil to a depth of 1 inch (5 centimeters) into a 1 1/2 to 2-quart (5 to 2 liter) saucepan and place over medium to medium-high heat until hot but not smoking.
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29
To test if the oil is the right temperature (it should be about 365 o F/185 oC), spear a piece of tofu onto a fork and slip a corner of the piece into the oil.
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30
If the oil is ready, it will immediately bubble vigorously around the tofu.
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31
Using 2 forks or a pair of tongs, add the tofu pieces in small batches (crowding will cool the oil down and make the tofu greasy).
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32
Fry the tofu pieces, turning them often with a slotted spoon, until theyre uniformly golden and crispy, 3 to 5 minutes.
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33
Be sure not to fry the tofu beyond the point at which it is just golden, or its texture will be tough, its taste bitter.
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34
Using the slotted spoon, transfer the tofu pieces to paper towels to drain.
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35
Add the fried tofu and cabbage to the simmering coconut-milk broth and continue to cook uncovered, stirring occasionally, until the cabbage is wilted and beginning to turn translucent, about 10 minutes.
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36
Do not let the cabbage overcook and become mushy.
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37
Add the remaining 1/2 cup (4 fluid oucnes/120 milliliters) coconut milk and allow it to heat through, about 2 minutes.
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38
Taste for salt, and add a pinch more if needed.
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39
Remove and discard the galangal.
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40
Transfer to the tofu, vegetables, and broth to a shallow serving bowl and allow the dish to rest for at least 15 minutes before eating .it will taste best when slightly cooled.
