Char Kroeung - cooking recipe

Ingredients

For the kroeung paste
2 stalks lemongrass, thinly sliced
5 garlic cloves, coarsely chopped
1 large shallot, coarsely chopped
1 1/2 teaspoons galangal, peeled and coarsely chopped
6 kaffir lime leaves, deveined
1/2 teaspoon turmeric
2 chilies, chopped and seeded
1/2 cup water
For the stir-fry
3 tablespoons vegetable oil
600 g beef or 600 g chicken
3 tablespoons fish sauce
2 tablespoons sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 large onion, peeled and sliced into wedges
1 red capsicum, sliced (bell pepper)
1/2 cup roasted peanuts, ground
rice vermicelli, for serving

Preparation

Blend all the paste ingredients in a blender until smooth.
Transfer the paste to a bowl, add the meat and mix well.
Heat the oil in large wok over medium heat. Add meat, stirring well until browned.
Add fish sauce, sugar and salt and stir until the sauce is bubbling.
Add the onion wedges and cook, stirring, until soft and translucent.
Add the red capsicum and 6 tablespoons of roasted peanuts. Stir for another minute, then remove from heat.
Sprinkle with remaining peanuts and serve with rice vermicelli noodles, lettuce, fresh mint and bean shoots.