Shrimp paste (belacan) sambal prawns

Ingredients

• 1kg prawns ( remove heads, de-vein and leave the tail on; also pat dry)
• 7 shallots (sliced)
• 7 birds eye chillies (optional)
• 1 1/2 tbsp lime juice
• 4 sprigs curry leaves
• 5 tbsp oil
• 1 tbsp crushed palm sugar
• Salt for taste
• For chilli paste (blend/ground)
• 10 dried red chillies (soaked in water for 10 mins)
• 1 inch belacan (roasted over fire for 3-4 mins)
• 1 inch ginger
• 10 pips garlic
• 1 inch fresh turmeric/kunyit
• 1 large tomato