This recipe is normally made from sun dried chilis. Dried red chilis are fairly readily available in America and Europe, but dried green chilis are unusual.

You could dry, or smoke fresh chilis, either in a hot oven or in a sealed container on a barbeque, or with a home desiccator, but if all else fails, chop fresh chilis, and spread them on a cookie tray and put them under the broiler until fairly dry.

This sauce keeps well, and is popular as "traveler's fare" in Thailand, being used as an accompaniment to various dried meats and cliced vegetables.

The shallots and garlic are broiled/grilled until the skins blacken, and then peeled and chopped.

The dried chilis are also broiled until they just (!) begin to blacken. This is very critical - overdo it and the vapor given off is Highly irritating to the nose and eyes! (If nervous, follow the suggestion above about cooking on a cookie sheet, but do it outdoors)

Deep fry the fish until crispy, then tease off the flesh, discarding the bones. You need 2 pounds of shredded cooked fish.

Combine all the ingredients in a blender or food processor.

Can be kept in a well stoppered jar, or refrigerated.

~- Regards

Colonel Ian F. Khuntilanont-Philpott

Systems Engineering, Vongchavalitkul University, Korat 30000, Thailand

Chile-Heads List

~0700