
Massaman Curry with Beef
แกงมัสมั่นเนื้อ
Kaeng Matsaman Nuea
A slow-cooked southern Thai curry with tender beef, potatoes, coconut milk and warm spices. It is milder and sweeter than many Thai curries.
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About this dish
A slow-cooked southern Thai curry with tender beef, potatoes, coconut milk and warm spices. It is milder and sweeter than many Thai curries.
Nutrition per serving
Nutrition values are estimates per serving and may vary with brands, portions and substitutions.
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Smart substitutions
Substitutions can make the recipe easier, safer or suitable for a dietary need, but they may change the authentic flavour.
Flavour: light soy sauce plus a pinch of seaweed
Allergy: coconut aminos
Dietary: vegan fish sauce
Flavour: light brown sugar
Allergy: maple syrup
Dietary: coconut sugar
Flavour: lime juice plus brown sugar
Allergy: rice vinegar plus sugar
Dietary: lime juice plus sugar
Ingredients
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800 g beef chuck4 cm cubes
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800 ml coconut milk
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4 tbsp Massaman curry paste
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500 g Potatopeeled and chunked
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1 Onioncut into wedges
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3 tbsp fish sauce
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2 tbsp palm sugar
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2 tbsp tamarind water
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1 stick cinnamon
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3 cardamom podslightly crushed
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2 bay leaves
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60 g roasted peanuts
Cook it a day ahead when possible; the spice flavour becomes rounder overnight.
Method
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1
Brown the paste
Cook thick coconut cream with curry paste until fragrant and glossy.
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2
Add beef
Stir in beef and coat well in the paste.
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3
Slow simmer
Add remaining coconut milk, cinnamon, cardamom and bay leaves. Cover and simmer gently for about 75 minutes.
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4
Add vegetables
Add potatoes and onion, then continue simmering until the beef and potatoes are tender.
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5
Balance the curry
Season with fish sauce, palm sugar and tamarind. Stir in peanuts and simmer for 5 minutes.
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6
Rest and serve
Let the curry stand for 10 minutes before serving.
What it tastes like
Rich, mildly spiced, sweet-savoury and aromatic with cinnamon and cardamom.
Make it milder
Massaman is naturally mild. Use a smaller amount of paste and extra coconut milk if necessary.
Ingredient substitutions
Lamb, chicken thighs or firm tofu can replace beef.
Vegetarian alternative
Use tofu, pumpkin and mushrooms with vegan curry paste and soy sauce.
Common mistakes
Rushing the simmer leaves the beef tough. Potatoes added too early may disintegrate.
Serving the dish
Serve with hot jasmine rice and a crisp cucumber relish.
Roasted peanuts and a few coriander leaves.
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Massaman Curry with Beef
Massaman Curry with Beef
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