Beef Massaman curry is a dish that is rich in flavors and aromas, making it a delightful culinary experience. This Thai curry is slow-cooked with juicy beef chunks, potatoes, smoky chilies, and creamy coconut milk until the meat is tender and the sauce is bursting with flavor.
Why this curry recipe stands out:
– It offers a burst of flavors: This Massaman curry is packed with savory-sweet, mildly spicy, and umami-rich flavors that will leave your taste buds dancing.
– Simple ingredients: The recipe uses easily accessible pantry staples and some specialty items that can be found in the international food aisle, making it easy to recreate the bold flavors of traditional Massaman curry.
– Low and slow cooking: While there’s some prep involved, once the cooking starts, the curry simmers low and slow, bringing out all the flavors and turning the meat tender and succulent.
What goes into Massaman curry:
Massaman curry is a fusion of Thai and Indian influences, using a mix of Indian spices like cumin, coriander, cinnamon, and cloves, with Thai red-style curry paste. The ingredients include spices, chilies, lemongrass, garlic, onion, cilantro, miso paste, sugar, and lime juice to create a rich and aromatic curry paste.
For the curry, you’ll need beef chuck, cornstarch, vegetable oil, coconut milk, onion, potatoes, and roasted peanuts. The beef is velveted with cornstarch for tenderness and then seared before adding coconut milk, curry paste, and beef broth to create a luscious sauce. Potatoes are added later to cook through, and the curry is served over rice garnished with peanuts and cilantro.
Tips and variations:
– Cook the beef until fall-apart tender for the best results.
– You can use leaner beef cuts for a quicker cooking time.
– Ensure the curry has the right consistency by measuring liquid ingredients and simmering to thicken.
– Feel free to add more veggies like sweet potatoes, squash, or bell peppers for extra flavor and texture.
Whether you choose to make this curry with beef, chicken, or as a vegetarian option, Massaman curry offers a delicious and comforting meal that’s perfect for any occasion. Serve it over rice or with naan bread for a complete and satisfying meal that will warm your soul and tantalize your taste buds.
