Can dried shrimp be used as a substitute for shrimp paste in a recipe for thai curry paste?
I'd like to make my own thai red curry and green curry pastes but both of these call for shrimp paste which isn't widely available in my country. I do have a packet of small dried shrimp (with heads/legs on). Can I use these to subsitute for the shrimp paste, or should I use fish sauce instead? or perhaps both?
Best Answer
Your dried shrimp are fresh, then dried. The taste belachan imparts has more to do with the fact that it is fermented, than is shrimp. Fish sauce is fermented, so you really would be better off adding both :)
Rehydrating the shrimp in some fish sauce with water, then adding it to your mix for blending would work best. You may not be able to blend your paste properly if the shrimp is still dried.
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Can you substitute dried shrimp for shrimp paste?
Dried shrimp can be substituted with shrimp paste, though that is not recommended. Shrimp paste has a more concentrated and paste-like texture. You can also find shrimp paste found at the Asian market. You'll need to use less of the shrimp paste than dried shrimp.What can I use instead of shrimp paste in a Thai curry?
If you are following a recipe that calls for shrimp paste, use this equation: 1/2 teaspoon shrimp paste is equivalent to 1 tablespoon fish sauce, Golden Mountain sauce, or vegetarian stir-fry sauce. In a pinch, you can also substitute soy sauce, but you'll find the dish may taste weak or turn out too dark in color.How do you use dried shrimp paste?
Heat shrimp paste in a dry pan over medium heat until smoke appears. To avoid its overpowering smell, wrap it in aluminum foil before toasting it on the pan or putting it in the oven for 5 minutes at 200 degrees Celsius. Then, add toasted shrimp paste as recommended in the recipe.What can I do with dried shrimp?
You can use dried shrimp to flavor stir fries, broths, and even dumplings. I love using it in fried rice, congee, or sticky rice. Mama Lin usually soaks the shrimp in water for 20 to 30 minutes before using it in stir fries. This helps to soften the shrimp and release a bit of flavor.How to use Dried Shrimp
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