a. Wash the 8 medium-sized tomatoes and remove the stems.
b. Peel and mince the 6 cloves of garlic.
c. Finely chop the 6-8 Thai bird's eye chilies.
d. Peel and finely chop the 3 shallots.
Roast the tomatoes:
a. Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).
b. Place the tomatoes on a baking sheet and roast them in the oven for about 20-25 minutes until they are soft and slightly charred.
c. Remove the tomatoes from the oven and let them cool.
Prepare the chili-garlic paste:
a. In a mortar and pestle, combine the roasted tomatoes, minced garlic, chopped Thai bird's eye chilies, salt, and sugar.
b. Pound and grind the ingredients together until a chunky paste is formed.
c. Taste and adjust the seasoning if needed.
Cook the shallots and garlic:
a. Heat a tablespoon of oil in a pan over medium heat.
b. Add the chopped shallots and minced garlic to the pan.
c. Sauté them until they turn golden brown and aromatic, stirring occasionally.
Combine the chili-garlic paste and sautéed shallots/garlic:
a. Transfer the chili-garlic paste from the mortar and pestle into the pan with the sautéed shallots and garlic.
b. Mix everything together and continue cooking for a few more minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
Season with fish sauce and lime juice:
a. Add a tablespoon of fish sauce to the pan and stir well.
b. Squeeze in the juice of a lime and mix until all the ingredients are well incorporated.
Simmer and adjust the consistency:
a. Reduce the heat to low and let the jeow simmer for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
b. If the mixture seems too thick, add a little water to achieve the desired consistency.
Taste and adjust the seasoning:
a. Taste the jeow and add more salt, sugar, fish sauce, or lime juice according to your preference.
b. Stir well and let it simmer for a few more minutes.
Notes
Use a broiler to roast the tomatoes, chilies, and garlic. It's quick and easy and gives the sauce a nice smoky flavor.Adjust the amount of chilies according to your taste. If you prefer a milder sauce, use fewer chilies or remove the seeds and membranes from the chilies.Make sure to taste the sauce and adjust the seasoning as needed before serving.