Balinese curry sauce

Method

1. Put water, turmeric, curry leaves or powder, ginger, coriander, lemon zest, chillies, spring onions and garlic into a blender or food processor fitted with a steel blade and process until smooth. If making by hand, pound all these ingredients, except water, in a mortar, then mix in water. Heat butter in a wok or small frying pan, add onion mixture and cook briskly, stirring, for 5 minutes. Stir in salt and coconut milk, then crushed nuts and sugar.
2. Vegetables, hard-boiled eggs or diced cooked meat are now added and simmered in the sauce for 15 minutes or until vegetables are done. Raw chicken pieces or diced meat should be cooked gently in the sauce for about 45 minutes or until tender.