Spring Pea and Coconut Milk Laksa with Ramp Oil and Crispy Shallots

Ingredients

• ▸2 tablespoons neutral oil (grapeseed or sunflower), for the base
• ▸3 stalks lemongrass, tough outer layers removed, bruised and cut into 3-inch pieces
• ▸4 cloves garlic, smashed
• ▸1 inch fresh galangal, thinly sliced
• ▸2 fresh kaffir lime leaves, torn
• ▸1 teaspoon ground turmeric
• ▸1 teaspoon ground coriander
• ▸0.5 teaspoon white pepper
• ▸1 tablespoon white miso paste
• ▸4 cups vegetable broth, low-sodium
• ▸2 cans (13.5 oz each) full-fat coconut milk
• ▸2 cups fresh or frozen spring peas, divided
• ▸1 tablespoon coconut sugar
• ▸2 tablespoons fish sauce or soy sauce for vegan
• ▸1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
• ▸200 grams dried rice vermicelli noodles, soaked in hot water until pliable
• ▸0.5 cup ramp leaves (wild leek leaves), roughly chopped
• ▸0.25 cup neutral oil (for ramp oil)
• ▸4 large shallots, thinly sliced into rings
• ▸0.5 cup neutral oil (for frying shallots)
• ▸1 pinch fine sea salt (for shallots)
• ▸1 cup bean sprouts, for serving
• ▸0.5 cup fresh mint leaves, for serving
• ▸0.5 cup fresh cilantro leaves, for serving
• ▸1 lime, cut into wedges, for serving
• ▸1 teaspoon toasted sesame seeds, for garnish

Instructions

1. 1

   1. Make the ramp oil: Blanch ramp leaves in boiling salted water for 20 seconds, then transfer immediately to an ice bath. Squeeze out excess water, then blend ramp leaves with 0.25 cup neutral oil in a high-speed blender until completely smooth and brilliantly green, about 90 seconds. Strain through a fine-mesh sieve lined with cheesecloth, pressing firmly. Reserve the vivid green oil; discard solids. Set aside.

2. 2

   2. Make crispy shallots: Heat 0.5 cup neutral oil in a small saucepan over medium-low heat. Add shallot rings and cook slowly, stirring frequently, for 18–22 minutes until deep golden and crisp throughout — low and slow is the secret here, not a quick fry. Use a slotted spoon to transfer shallots to a paper-towel-lined plate, season with a pinch of salt, and let cool. They will crisp further as they cool. Reserve the shallot-infused oil for another use.

3. 3

   3. Build the laksa broth base: Heat 2 tablespoons neutral oil in a large heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add lemongrass, garlic, and galangal and cook, stirring, for 3 minutes until fragrant and lightly golden. Add kaffir lime leaves, turmeric, coriander, and white pepper; stir for 1 minute. Stir in white miso paste and cook 30 seconds until it melts into the aromatics.

4. 4

   4. Add liquids and braise: Pour in vegetable broth and both cans of coconut milk. Bring to a gentle simmer, then reduce heat to low. Add 1.5 cups of the spring peas, coconut sugar, and soy sauce or fish sauce. Cover partially and braise gently for 20 minutes, allowing the aromatics to fully infuse the broth and the peas to break down slightly, creating natural body.

5. 5

   5. Blend and strain the broth: Remove lemongrass stalks, galangal slices, and kaffir lime leaves with tongs. Using an immersion blender, partially blend the broth — pulse 4–5 times so some peas are pureed and some remain whole, giving the broth a gorgeous green tint and creamy body without losing all texture. Stir in lime juice and taste; adjust salt, fish sauce, and sugar as needed.

6. 6

   6. Finish with fresh peas: Add the remaining 0.5 cup of fresh peas to the hot broth and let them sit off-heat for 2 minutes — they'll warm through while staying bright and sweet.

7. 7

   7. Prepare noodles: Drain the soaked vermicelli noodles and divide among four deep serving bowls.

8. 8

   8. Assemble and serve: Ladle the hot laksa broth over the noodles. Top each bowl with a handful of bean sprouts, fresh mint, and cilantro. Drizzle generously with ramp oil (1–2 teaspoons per bowl) and pile on a heap of crispy shallots. Scatter sesame seeds over the top and tuck a lime wedge on the side. Serve immediately while the shallots still have their crunch.

Variations

• ◆Shrimp laksa: Add 200g peeled raw shrimp to the broth in the last 3 minutes of braising. Their sweetness plays directly off the peas, and the fat in the coconut broth keeps them from turning rubbery.
• ◆Ramp-free weeknight version: Make the same blender oil using scallion greens and a handful of spinach. It's less wild and a little milder, but the color holds and it's available in January.
• ◆Spicy pea laksa: Stir 2 tablespoons of sambal oelek, or one fresh red chili blended smooth, into the broth base before adding the coconut milk. The heat sharpens the sweetness of the peas without flattening them.