COCONUT:
1. When selecting coconuts, choose older ones with with yield more milk.
2. When extracting coconut milk, add one cup of water to grated coconut at a time and squeeze to extract milk before adding the next cup, even if recipes calls for 4 cups of water.

LENGKUAS (botanical: galangal):
If lengkuas needs to be ground, buy a tender piece that is pinkish in color.

LENTIL (dhal):
Always select the larger variety; soak for about 2 hours in cold water before using, then wash and remove loose skin.

TAMARIND:
1. Select the darker variety.
2. To make tamarind juice, combine specified amount of water and tamarind pulp, mix with fingers and strain.

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