FAST FOOD
Laksa lemak

Laksa lemak

Serves 4



1/3 cup   olive oil
400 ml   coconut milk
1 tbsp   caster sugar
800 ml   fish or chicken stock
2   sprigs of Vietnamese mint
400 gm   firm white fish fillets, such as snapper or mahi mahi
2   small squid, cleaned and cut into 5mm-thick rings
8   black mussels, scrubbed and bearded
8   medium green prawns, peeled and cleaned leaving tails intact
500 gm   hokkien noodles, cooked in boiling water for 1 minute, then drained
250 gm   blanched baby green beans
To serve:   coriander sprigs and lime wedges
Spice paste
2   stalks of lemongrass, outer leaves removed, root ends trimmed and stalks finely chopped
2   cloves of garlic, chopped
1 tsp   ground turmeric, or 3cm piece fresh turmeric, peeled and chopped
2.5 cm   piece of galangal, peeled and chopped
3 cm   piece of ginger, peeled and chopped
5   candlenuts
1   onion, chopped
6   fresh long red chillies, seeded and chopped
2 tsp   ground coriander seed
1½ tsp   belacan (roasted shrimp paste)


1 For spice paste, process all ingredients in a food processor until a paste forms, adding a little water if necessary.
2 Heat oil in a heavy-based saucepan, add spice paste and stir over medium heat for 5 minutes or until fragrant. Add coconut milk, sugar, stock and mint and, stirring continuously, bring to the boil. As soon as mixture comes to the boil, reduce heat to low and simmer for 15 minutes.
3 Add seafood and cook, covered, just until seafood is cooked through and mussels have opened. Using a slotted spoon, remove seafood and keep warm. Divide noodles, beans and seafood among soup bowls. Ladle hot laksa over, sprinkle with coriander sprigs and serve immediately, with lime wedges passed separately.


RECIPE Tony Tan PHOTOGRAPHY Gorta Yuuki STYLING Sophia Young


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