Do not shake the cans of coconut milk before opening them, you want the fat inside to remain separated. Do not use store-bought vegetable stock; if you don't have homemade on hand, use water or a high quality vegetable base like Better Than Bouillon vegetable base, diluted according to manufacturer's instructions. A heavy-duty granite mortar and pestle will give you better flavor than a food processor or mini chopper, but a food processor can be used in place of a mortar and pestle it you do not own one.