Massaman Curry

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A mild Thai curry that comes from South Thailand and carries a strong Muslim/Indian influence. In fact the name is a derivation of Mussulman which means Moslem person. This curry is very reminiscent of Indian and Malay Kormas, thick and creamy with just a hint of heat. Quite like my “Idiot-Proof Curry”!

In my early years in the UK when I used to work in London, I used to often give out a recipe for chicken curry that I have cooked for as long as I can remember. It was obviously, at some point, learnt from my granny who brought us up. It was such an easy recipe, hence the name.

Massaman curry is similar to this, very simple as long as you’ve got the paste. A good paste is essential, good shop bought ones are around if you look for them. For those of you in the UK, Waitrose stock a line called Thai Taste that’s pretty good. All the pastes are made in Thailand. I’ve only tried the Tom Yum but I’m willing to bet the others are pretty good too. Of course, a trip to an Oriental shop is best!

In Thailand, this curry is often made with beef or lamb, my personal favourite is beef but I’ve chosen to use chicken here.

I have even made a vegetarian version and it was gorgeous!

A quick word about the meat used. On the bone is always best as the bones create a depth of flavour that will be missed otherwise. Do not use stock, you will alter the nature of the curry. If using chicken, I like to mix it up by using thighs and breasts or legs and breasts. Even better would be to use a whole chopped chicken (easily done by your butcher). Chicken will only take about an hour while beef and lamb can take 2-3 hours depending on the part used. Use cuts that you would use for a stew.

Don’t overcook the potatoes.

When cooking with coconut milk, NEVER cover the saucepan and always simmer once it’s come to the boil. This is to stop the milk from curdling, even with the added stabilizers, that can happen.

Vegetarian option at the end.

 

Ingredients (serves 2)

500g meat (whatever you prefer), cut into bite size pieces

3 medium potatoes, cut to about the same size as the meat

2 medium onions

4 tbsp Massaman paste, shop bought

1 can coconut milk for chicken, 2-3 for beef or lamb

3 tbsp tamarind paste

2 tbsp lime juice

half tbsp palm sugar

2 tbsp fish sauce

4 cardamom pods

1 cinnamon stick

half a star anise

2 tbsp peanuts, dry roasted, medium ground not too finely

 

Method

1. Skim the top creamy part of the coconut milk (from one if using more) and heat this in a medium sized

saucepan on high heat.

2. Fry the paste, cinnamon, star anise and cardamom for a few minutes until the oil from the coconut milk

separates.

3. Add meat and stir to coat. Add the rest of the coconut milk and just bring it to boil.

4. Lower the heat and simmer uncovered until the meat is cooked, about 30-60 minutes for chicken, 2-3 hours for beef or lamb.

5. About 20 minutes before the end of cooking time, add the potatoes, onions, the tamarind paste and fish sauce.

6. When the potatoes are done, stir in the palm sugar and lime juice and check the seasoning. Add more fish sauce and palm sugar if needed. Turn heat off.

7. Sprinkle the peanuts all over and serve with plain white rice and a salad or a side vegetable dish.

 

 

 

 

Vegetarian Option 

Converting a meat curry to a vegetarian one is pretty simple really. All you need to do is substitute the meat with the same amount of vegetables or seafood. I’ve made both a vegetable as well as a fish massaman curry with excellent results.

What you need to decide is what vegetables to use. The potatoes will obviously stay. A perfect combination would be courgettes and aubergines. You could also use carrots, okra or beans. Don’t forget tofu if you like the stuff – I love it!

Seafood is pretty easy – whatever you like!

Needless to say, cooking time for both will be reduced.