Combine all dry spices in a coffee grinder and blitz until fine; remove from grinder and set aside. Grind the dried chilies in the coffee grinder until fine and set aside.
Add all remaining ingredients into the blender jug and blend into a rough paste. Add all the ground dry ingredients and keep blending, scraping in between as needed, until smooth.
Pound lemongrass, galangal and cilantro roots along with the salt until it becomes a fine paste. Add shallots and garlic and pound until fine, adding the dry spices as needed to help absorb moisture and increase friction. Once it is a fine paste, add any remaining dry spices and the shrimp paste and pound to mix well.
Ready to make the curry? Here's my massaman curry recipe!
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