Thai Red Curry Chicken with Leeks and Shiitake Mushrooms

Name: Thai Red Curry Chicken with Leeks and Shiitake Mushrooms
Ingredients: • 1 cup dried shiitake mushrooms slices; • 2-3 teaspoons Thai red curry paste, or more to taste (depending on how spicy or salty the paste you are using is); • 3 large garlic cloves, chopped; • 1 1 1/2 piece of fresh ginger, peeled and diced; • 1/2 cup cilantro or parsley stems, coarsely chopped (save 1/2 cup chopped leaves for garnish); • 6 whole scallions , coarsely chopped; • 1 medium red bell pepper + 1 green Hatch or Anaheim chile pepper, coarsely chopped; • 2 cups shiitake soaking-liquid, divided; • 6 large chicken thighs, washed and pat dried; • 2 medium red onions or any kind you have on hand, thinly sliced; • 1 medium-large carrot, peeled and cut into 1/4 coins; • 3 tablespoons fish sauce; • 2 tablespoons fresh lime or lemon juice, or more to taste; • 3 ripe tomatoes, peeled, seeded and chopped, or 3 whole canned tomatoes, chopped; • 3 medium leeks, white and light green parts only, thoroughly washed, pat dry and cut unto 1 1/2 to 2 long cylinders; • 1/2 cup coconut milk