- Medium
- 35 min
- 12 serv.
- 8 synergies
- Now at its best: Red Chili Pepper (Fresh)
Fresh red curry paste from soaked red peppers, shallots, garlic, lemongrass and aromatic spices. Much more intense than the store-bought version.
Dried red peppers soaked in warm water for twenty minutes, the smell of toasted coriander seeds and cumin, fresh galangal and lemongrass in the mortar — as soon as you start pounding, the kitchen fills with an aroma you can't fake. This is the base behind most curry dishes you eat on the street in Thailand. One batch gives you twelve portions waiting for months in the freezer.
- 30
- min prep
- 5
- min cook
- 35
- min total
Nutritional Synergies
This recipe combines ingredients that enhance each other:
fresh galangal 
kaffir lime zest Thai aromatics with bioactive action
Technical: Galangal contains galangin and HMP (hydroxymethoxyphenyl) with bioactive action. Kaffir lime contains citronellal and limonene with bioactive properties. Together they provide a broad spectrum of bioactive compounds — the base of Tom Kha and Tom Yam.
What does this mean for you? Galangal + kaffir lime is the base of Tom Kha and Tom Yam. These Thai aromatics offer not just unique flavor, but also a broad spectrum of bioactive compounds.
Immune SystemDigestion
cumin seeds 
garlic cloves Double digestive support: enzymes + bioactive compounds
Technical: Cumin promotes digestive enzyme activity (amylase, lipase, protease) and increases bile flow. Garlic's allicin has broad bioactivity targeting pathogenic gut bacteria while sparing beneficial ones.
What does this mean for you? Fry garlic and cumin together as base for curries, soups and stews. Classic combination in virtually every cuisine in the world.
DigestionImmune System
cumin seeds 
black peppercorns Piperine increases absorption of cumin's active compounds 2-3x
Technical: Cumin contains cuminaldehyde and thymoquinone with digestive-promoting and bioactive properties. Piperine from black pepper inhibits CYP3A4 enzymes, reducing breakdown and improving absorption 2-3x.
What does this mean for you? Always add black pepper to dishes with cumin. This is why many spice blends (garam masala, ras el hanout) contain both.
DigestionAnti-inflammatory
coriander seeds cumin seeds Linalool + cuminaldehyde for digestion and biotransformation
Technical: Coriander seed contains linalool (60-80% of oil) that acts antispasmodically on the GI tract and promotes bile flow. Cumin's cuminaldehyde (25-35%) promotes pancreatic enzyme activity (amylase, lipase, protease) by 20-30%. Together they promote the complete digestive cascade: coriander seed promotes bile flow (fat digestion), cumin activates pancreatic enzymes (protein/starch digestion). Studies show the combination meaningfully reduces gas formation.
What does this mean for you? Coriander seed + cumin is the Indian digestive duo (jeera-dhaniya). Dry toast both seeds in a pan for maximum aroma development and add to dal, curry or rice.
DigestionAntioxidants
lemongrass fresh galangal Tom Yum base with bioactive action
Technical: Lemongrass contains citral (geranial + neral) with bioactive action. Galangal contains galangin working bioactively via a different mechanism (enzyme modulation). Together they provide a broad spectrum of bioactive compounds. The broth extracts the volatile oils — Tom Yum is a soup traditionally prepared and enjoyed in Thailand.
What does this mean for you? Tom Yum with fresh lemongrass and galangal is more than just soup — it's a traditional Thai recipe with a broad spectrum of bioactive compounds.
Anti-inflammatoryDigestion
dried red chilies garlic cloves Capsaicin + allicin: complementary bioactive sulfur pathways
Technical: Capsaicin from red pepper inhibits bacterial biofilm formation and is effective against H. pylori via TRPV1 receptor activation. Garlic's allicin works via thiol enzyme inhibition and has bioactive action against gram-positive bacteria. Together they cover a broader spectrum of bioactive pathways. Capsaicin also stimulates mucus production in the GI tract.
What does this mean for you? Red pepper with garlic is the base of countless cuisines worldwide — from sambal to harissa. Not just tasty heat, but also two complementary bioactive pathways in one spice combination.
Immune SystemAnti-inflammatory
shallots garlic cloves Complementary Allium sulfur compounds: >15 organosulfur in one combination
Technical: Shallots contain quercetin (32mg/100g) plus allyl propyl disulfide. Garlic contains allicin and ajoene. Together they provide >15 unique organosulfur compounds that influence platelet aggregation signaling and modulate fibrinolysis. Allium crops are intensively studied in epidemiological research.
What does this mean for you? Shallot and garlic together (base of many sauces and stews) combine more than 15 unique organosulfur compounds. The different Allium sulfur compounds complement each other through different biochemical pathways.
HeartAnti-inflammatory
fish sauce garlic cloves Fermented umami + allicin for immunity and flavor
Technical: Fish sauce contains fermented amino acids (glutamate, histidine) and bioactive peptides from long fermentation. Garlic's allicin offers bioactive action. The fermented compounds support the gut microbiome while allicin provides a complementary bioactive profile.
What does this mean for you? Combine fish sauce and garlic as base for Asian stir-fries, marinades and dressings. This is the fundamental flavor base of Thai and Vietnamese cuisine.
Immune SystemDigestion
Ingredients (10)
+8 more ingredientsInstructions
- 1 Soak the dried peppers 20 minutes in warm water. Drain and remove seeds for milder paste.
- 2 Toast coriander seeds and cumin 2-3 minutes in a dry pan until fragrant. Grind fine in mortar or coffee grinder.
Nutrition per serving
Indicative values per serving.
Timing & Suitability
Shelf life: 14 days in fridge
Tags & Diet
Allergens: Fish