Homemade Sambal Chilli

Ingredients
85g dried chili - about 2 cups
6 fresh red chili - remove stalks and seeds
8 shallots - peeled and sliced
8 cloves garlic - peeled and sliced
1 stalk lemongrass - use white part only, chopped into small pieces
1 tsp salt
1 tsp sugar
3/4 cup oil or more for frying
water for blending
 Method

1. Remove the stalks of the dried chili and cut into halves.
2. Add 1 cup water to a pot and bring to a boil.  Add cut dried red chili.  Turn off heat and let it soak for 10 minutes until soft.
3. Use a sieve to remove as much seeds as possible.  Drain and set aside.
4. Put dried chilli, fresh red chill, lemongrass, shallot and garlic into a blender.  Add just enough water for blending.
5. Heat up oil in a pot.  Fry the shallot mixture till lightly brown and aromatic.
6. Add the blended chili and continue to cook over low heat for 1 to 2 hours, stirring occasionally to prevent the paste from burning.
7. Add salt and sugar and continue to cook for another few minutes.
8. Turn off heat and remove from stove.
9. Ladle into glass jar and let it cool.
10. Enjoy the taste of home made sambal chili!