I first tasted a massaman curry many years ago. We’d been staying in Krabi in southern Thailand. Inspired by the late chef/travel documentarian, Anthony Bourdain I jumped in a tuk tuk and asked, where do you eat chicken rice? I’d read that if you use the word chicken rice the locals will understand that as meaning food. “Chicken rice?” He said,
“Yes but take me to where you eat chicken rice”.
We ended up in this lovely local lady’s living room. She presented us with the curry which she she said they called muslim or south curry. I’m obsessed with potatoes in any stew or curry. I love how they take on the flavour or the sauce. I couldn’t wait to have a go at making it when I got back and I’ve been making it ever since.
A massaman curry has all the usual suspects of a thai curry, lemongrass, galangal, kaffir lime leaves, shrimp paste, coconut milk but then it has the muslim influence, cinnamon, cardamom, cloves, tamarind etc. Usually milder than most thai curries, I still like to spice it up after portioning out the kids’ servings at home, I then add chopped bird’s eye chillis to mine.
To make any thai curry the most essential ingredients are lemongrass, galangal, kaffir lime leaves and shrimp paste. These give the curry fresh, fragrant, fruity and fermented flavours. All the F’s haha!
Most cities have oriental/international supermarkets. For myself, it’s well worth the thirty minute or so drive into either Leeds or Bradford for the ingredients above. The rest of the ingredients can be sourced at markets and major supermarkets. For anyone local to the Menston area I’m happy to pick up the essentials from the Chinese supermarket on Thursday which can be collected from my house at cost.
A massaman curry can be made with chicken or vegtables or tofu. Beef is my favorite for this dish. I’ll be using beef flank (bavette). One of my favourite cuts of beef, traditionally a butcher’s cut. I also like to add some beef bones to the gravy to give it even more depth.
I will be teaching this class online this Friday, if you’d like any more details info@kirstybrowncookery.co.uk
Here is the link to book…
https://www.kirstybrowncookery.co.uk/product/thai-massaman-beef-curry-friday-21st-may-1800/