Thai Shrimp Paste Chili Dip: Nam-Prik-Gapi(น้ำพริกกะปิ)

     

            There are a variety of fantastic chili pastes and chili sauces in Thai Cuisine. For example, Thai Northern Style Pork and Tomato Relish (Nam-Prik-Ong),Thai Red Curry Paste: Prik-Gang-Kua, Green Curry Paste: Gang-Keow-Wan, and Thai Chili paste: Nam-Prik-Pao. 
    
            Gapi is one of the most important components for Thai chili pastes, and is made from salted, fermented shrimp. This gapi dip has the pungent shrimp taste but also combines with the palm sugar, lime juice, garlic, and Thai chilies. I am in love with this dip because it was reminding me about my childhood I used to live with my beloved grandmother who was an excellent cook. I was her sous chef helping her to taste all delicious food. 

             This nam prik gapi you can find anywhere in local markets including in the restaurants in Thailand. They are a variety of fresh, steamed and fried vegetables to serve with it. Today I happen to have Chinese eggplant on hand so that I am going to make Fried Eggplant (มะเขือยาวชุบไข่ทอด) to eat with my dip. 

Let's get started!

Ingredients

1 tablespoon Thai shrimp paste = Gapi
2 tablespoons dried shrimp 
2 teaspoons fish sauce 
3 Thai chilies 
3 garlic cloves, peeled 
11/2 tablespoons palm sugar
2 tablespoons lime juice 
2 tablespoons warm water 

Roast Gapi on the stove top 

Roasted Gapi or Shrimp Paste 

Instructions

Prepare the shrimp paste by spreading it on the banana leaf or aluminum foil and fold into a package. Roast it on the stove top for few minutes. It is hot so be careful using the thongs to open the package. 

Pound dried shrimp into small pieces or a powder in a mortar and pestle. Grind or crush garlic and chilies, but if do not like spicy dip just add chopped chilies for garnish. Add gapi and mix until it forms a paste. Then drizzle lime juice, fish sauce, palm sugar, water, and mix well. Adjust the seasonings and the taste should be the balance of saltiness, sweetness, sourness, and spiciness. I did not pound chilies until smooth because did like too spicy. Serve the dip with your favorite vegetables and steamed jasmine rice. Enjoy ka! 

Fried Eggplant (มะเขือยาวชุบไข่ทอด)