Put shallots, garlic, ginger & oil in a saucepan. Heat over moderate/high heat, stirring carefully & often until faintly golden. Remove with slotted spoon & keep to one side.
Add chilli & fry in the same oil over moderate high heat for 2-3 mins, don't let the chilli colour. Add nuts & seeds & fry a couple more minutes, don't let chilli or nuts/seeds burn. You want soft squishy cooked chilli & faintly golden nuts/seeds.
In a dry pan over medium heat gently toast spices for a couple mins, don't burn them. Remove from heat & add salt, sugar & bay leaves.
Put bay & spice mix in heat proof, high sided bowl. Add the golden shallot mix, then carefully pour over the hot chilli oil into the bowl. It will bubble up.
Cool for 5 mins. Use a funnel to pour chilli oil into clean sterilised jars.
