INGREDIENTS

5-small red chilies 
5-6 cloves garlic, chopped fine
2 tablespoons shallots, chopped fine
2 teaspoons coarse sea salt
2 tablespoons galangal root, peeled and chopped fine
2 tablespoons gingerroot, peeled and chopped fine
2 tablespoons lemongrass bulb, cleaned and trimmed and chopped fine
2 tablespoons lime zest
2 tablespoons white peppercorns
1 tablespoons coriander seeds, toasted
1 tablespoons cumin seeds, toasted
5 cardamom pods, toasted, husks removed and seeds scraped
1 teaspoon cinnamon
3 cloves, toasted
1 cup fresh cilantro leaves, chopped

PREPARATION

Grind and pound the hardest ingredient first, galangal, ginger, pepper corns etc.  Add one ingredient at a time from hardest to softest, grinding on top of each other until a course paste is formed.  If using a food processor add one ingredient at a time and pulse.

The method usually takes about 20 minutes total and is a great arm work out as well as a Zen experience.