Mixed Seafood Laksa
Description
This Mixed Seafood Laksa is a comforting and vibrant dish that combines the sweetness of fresh seafood with the deep, spicy warmth of a coconut-based curry broth. The recipe features tender prawns, flaky fish balls, and succulent crab meat, all simmered in a fragrant soup infused with lemongrass, galangal, turmeric, and dried chilies. Served over slippery rice vermicelli and topped with crisp bean sprouts, cucumber, and fresh herbs, this laksa offers a perfect balance of creamy, spicy, and fresh flavors. It is an ideal hearty meal for chilly evenings or an impressive centerpiece for dinner parties.Directions
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Shell and devein the prawns, reserving the shells and heads for the stock.
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Drain the prawns thoroughly.
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Remove any bones and skin from the fish fillets and chop them very finely using a chopper or food processor.
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Mix the chopped fish with the salt and pepper.
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Shape the fish mixture into small balls or a sausage-shaped roll, then divide into finger-width slices.
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Pick over the crab meat, discarding any bony tissue, or chop whole cooked crabs into pieces after removing the top shell and fibrous tissue.
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Heat 2 tablespoons of oil in a saucepan over high heat.
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Add the reserved prawn heads and shells and fry until they turn bright red.
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Add 8 cups of water and 2 teaspoons of salt to the pan.
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Cover and simmer the stock for 20-30 minutes, then strain through a fine mesh sieve.
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Discard the shells and heads.
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Return the strained prawn stock to the heat.
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Drop in the fish balls or slices and the peeled prawns (cut into pieces if large).
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Bring to a boil, then lower the heat and simmer for 3-4 minutes until the seafood is cooked.
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Set the seafood aside and keep warm.
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Scald the rice vermicelli by pouring boiling water over it, then allow it to drain in a colander, or soak in warm water for 5-10 minutes and drain well.
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Scald the bean sprouts by pouring boiling water over them, then rinse in cold water to wash off any loose skins and pinch off straggly brown tails.
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Slice the spring onions finely and roughly chop the mint leaves.
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Set aside the vermicelli, bean sprouts, cucumber, spring onions, and mint separately until serving time.
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Heat the remaining 3 tablespoons of oil in a clean saucepan.
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Fry the onions, garlic, and lemon rind until the onions are golden.
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Stir in the laos powder, candlenuts, dried chillies, shrimp paste, turmeric, and coriander.
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Add the prepared prawn stock and bring the soup to a boil.
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Add the coconut milk, sugar, and salt.
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Reduce the heat and simmer, uncovered, for 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent the coconut milk from curdling.
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In each serving bowl, arrange a ladle of the rice vermicelli to fill about two-thirds of the bowl.
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Add a handful of bean sprouts, a tablespoon each of grated cucumber and sliced spring onions, and a large pinch of mint leaves.
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Ladle the hot soup over the ingredients in the bowls.
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Serve immediately, optionally offering hot sambal on the side for extra spice.
Nutrition Facts
Servings 12 servings
- Amount Per Serving
- Calories 163.8kcal
- % Daily Value *
- Total Fat 3.3g6%
- Saturated Fat 0.8g4%
- Cholesterol 81.6mg28%
- Sodium 2686.8mg112%
- Total Carbohydrate 4.6g2%
- Dietary Fiber 1.2g5%
- Sugars 2.8g
- Protein 27.0g54%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.