Thai Toasted Chili Powder (Prik Bon kua – พริกป่นคั่ว)
Use prik bon for flavour and heat, as a condiment for noodle soup, alongside pad thai, and with anything that needs some extra oomph. Avoid eye contact (this is more a note to self). One cup of dried chillies will yield about ⅓ cup of prik bon chilli powder. Everyone will love you if you add some MSG to the blend.
Toast the chillies for 3-5 minutes in a dry wok or pan over medium-low heat, stirring regularly, until the skins are crispy and darker but not blackened. Blend the chillies in a coffee mill or spice grinder, or pound them with a sturdy pestle and mortar into a fine powder. Store in an airtight container.