Massaman Curry - How to cook (quick and easy method)

beef

🥗Healthier: chicken

💰Cheaper: pork

Chicken is leaner, and pork is often less expensive.

coconut milk

🥗Healthier: light coconut milk

💰Cheaper: evaporated milk

Light coconut milk reduces calories, while evaporated milk is more budget-friendly.

massaman curry paste

💰Cheaper: homemade curry paste

Homemade versions can be cheaper and tailored to personal taste.

peanuts

🥗Healthier: almonds

💰Cheaper: sunflower seeds

Almonds provide healthy fats, while sunflower seeds are often less expensive.

Pour half of the coconut milk into a pan.

Simmer the coconut milk over low heat until it thickens and the coconut oil starts to separate from the water phase.

When the oil and water separate into two layers, reduce the amount further until mostly the oil is left behind.

Add the massaman curry paste and sauté until it turns aromatic, noticing the coconut oil bubbling at the edge of the curry paste.

Add the chicken to the pan.

Add the remaining coconut milk and braise the chicken, adding some water if necessary to fully submerge the chicken.

Braise the chicken for 15 minutes.

Add the potatoes and onions, continuing to braise for another 20 minutes to ensure even cooking.

Add cardamom, cinnamon stick, and bay leaves to simmer with the chicken.

Prepare tamarind juice by placing tamarind pulp in hot water for 10 minutes, then discard the pulp and seeds, keeping only the tamarind water.

Add palm sugar to adjust sweetness, or use brown sugar if palm sugar is unavailable.

Add fish sauce for saltiness, omitting additional salt.

When the chicken and potatoes are soft, add roasted peanuts to the curry, or add them with the potatoes for softer peanuts.

Taste test the curry and adjust saltiness, sourness, and sweetness as needed.

Check the thickness of the gravy and reduce if too diluted.

Add more fish sauce and a large teaspoon of curry paste for a stronger flavor if desired.

Serve the curry.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

Dietary

Allergens