**Massaman Curry Recipe** that’s rich, aromatic, and full of flavor. Massaman curry is a Thai dish with influences from Indian and Persian cuisine, featuring tender meat (often beef or chicken), potatoes, and a deliciously creamy, mildly spiced coconut curry sauce.
### Massaman Curry Recipe
#### Ingredients:
– **1 lb beef (or chicken, lamb, or tofu)**, cut into bite-sized pieces
– **2 tbsp Massaman curry paste** (store-bought or homemade)
– **1 can (14 oz) coconut milk**
– **2 tbsp vegetable oil** (or coconut oil)
– **2 medium potatoes**, peeled and cut into chunks
– **1 onion**, sliced
– **1 can (14 oz) diced tomatoes**
– **1/4 cup roasted peanuts**, crushed
– **1 cinnamon stick**
– **3-4 whole cloves**
– **2-3 cardamom pods**
– **2 tbsp fish sauce**
– **2 tbsp brown sugar**
– **1 tbsp tamarind paste** (or substitute with 1 tbsp lime juice)
– **1 cup chicken or vegetable broth** (adjust as needed)
– **1-2 bay leaves**
– **1-2 Thai dried red chilies** (optional, for heat)
– **Fresh cilantro** (for garnish)
– **Lime wedges** (for serving)
– **Steamed jasmine rice** (for serving)
#### Instructions:
1. **Prepare the curry base**: In a large pot or Dutch oven, heat 1 tablespoon of oil over medium heat. Add the **Massaman curry paste** and cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly, until the paste becomes fragrant and slightly darkens.
2. **Brown the meat**: Add the **beef (or your choice of protein)** to the pot and sear it on all sides, about 5-6 minutes, until browned. If you’re using tofu, skip the browning step and simply add it later.
3. **Add the coconut milk and liquids**: Stir in the **coconut milk**, **broth**, and **diced tomatoes**. Bring to a simmer, then add the **fish sauce**, **brown sugar**, and **tamarind paste** (or lime juice). Stir well to combine.
4. **Add the aromatics and spices**: Toss in the **onion**, **potatoes**, **cinnamon stick**, **cloves**, **cardamom pods**, and **bay leaves**. If you like heat, add the **dried red chilies** now.
5. **Simmer the curry**: Reduce the heat to low and cover the pot. Let the curry simmer for 45-60 minutes, or until the beef is tender, the potatoes are cooked through, and the sauce has thickened. Stir occasionally and add more broth or water if needed to maintain a nice curry consistency.
6. **Finish the curry**: Once the beef and potatoes are tender, stir in the **crushed peanuts** for added texture and a nutty flavor. Taste and adjust the seasoning with more fish sauce, sugar, or lime juice, if necessary.
7. **Serve**: Remove the cinnamon stick, cardamom pods, and bay leaves. Serve the **Massaman curry** hot over steamed jasmine rice. Garnish with fresh **cilantro** and lime wedges on the side for an extra burst of freshness.
#### Tips:
– **Protein choices**: This curry works great with chicken, beef, lamb, or tofu. If using chicken or tofu, cook for a slightly shorter time (about 30-40 minutes) to avoid overcooking.
– **Adjusting spice**: Massaman curry is typically mild, but if you like more heat, you can add extra dried chilies or even a small fresh chili for some extra spice.
– **Vegan option**: To make this curry vegan, simply replace the meat with tofu, and substitute the fish sauce with soy sauce or tamari.
– **Make-ahead**: This curry tastes even better the next day as the flavors meld together, so feel free to prepare it ahead of time and store it in the fridge for up to 3 days.
### Why You’ll Love Massaman Curry:
– **Rich and comforting**: The creamy coconut milk combined with the aromatic Massaman curry paste creates a flavorful, comforting sauce that’s perfect for cozy dinners.
– **Versatile**: You can make this curry with your choice of protein or go fully plant-based with tofu and vegetables.
– **Easy to make**: Though the recipe takes a bit of time to simmer, it’s a one-pot meal that doesn’t require much hands-on work once the ingredients are added.
Enjoy this delicious and aromatic Massaman curry with your family or friends, and don’t forget the jasmine rice to soak up all that rich sauce! ????**Massaman Curry Recipe** that’s rich, aromatic, and full of flavor. Massaman curry is a Thai dish with influences from Indian and Persian cuisine, featuring tender meat (often beef or chicken), potatoes, and a deliciously creamy, mildly spiced coconut curry sauce.