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Massaman Beef Curry

4 servings

Massaman Curry Paste

  • 1 tspcoriander seeds, toasted
  • 1 tspcumin seeds, toasted
  • ¼ tspwhite peppercorns
  • ¾ tspground cinnamon
  • ¼ tspground cloves
  • ⅛ tspground nutmeg
  • ¼ tspground green or white cardamom
  • 20 gmild dried red chilies, seeds removed
  • 1 tspsalt
  • ¼ cupshallots, chopped
  • 2 ⅔ tbsplemongrass, bottom half of the stalk only, chopped
  • 2 tbspgalangal, chopped
  • 2cilantro roots, chopped
  • 2 tbspgarlic, chopped
  • 1 tspfermented shrimp paste (gapi)

Braised Beef

  • 2 lbbone-in beef short ribs
  • 2 tbspvegetable oil, enough to coat the pot
  • ½ cupcoconut milk, for the braise
  • 1 tbspfish sauce

Massaman Curry

  • ¾ cupcoconut milk, for frying the paste
  • 1 ¼ cupscoconut milk
  • 1 to 2 tbspfish sauce
  • 3 tbsppalm sugar, chopped
  • 2 tbsptamarind paste (tamarind concentrate)
  • ½large onion, cut into 1.2 cm strips
  • 1large white-fleshed sweet potato, cut into big chunks
  • ¼ cuproasted peanuts
  • steamed jasmine rice, for serving, to taste
  1. Massaman Curry Paste Grind 1 tsp coriander seeds, toasted, 1 tsp cumin seeds, toasted, ¼ tsp white peppercorns, ¾ tsp ground cinnamon, ¼ tsp ground cloves, ⅛ tsp ground nutmeg and ¼ tsp ground green or white cardamom together in a spice grinder until fine; tip out and set aside. Grind 20 g mild dried red chilies, seeds removed until fine and set aside separately. 5 min
  2. Blend ¼ cup shallots, 2 ⅔ tbsp lemongrass, bottom half of the stalk only, 2 tbsp galangal, 2 cilantro roots, 2 tbsp garlic, 1 tsp salt and 1 tsp fermented shrimp paste (gapi) into a rough paste. Add the ground chilies and spices and keep blending, scraping down often, until smooth. 5 min to 10 min
  3. With a mortar instead: pound the lemongrass, galangal and cilantro roots with the salt to a fine paste, add the shallots and garlic and pound until fine, working in the ground spices and chilies as you go to absorb moisture. Finish by pounding in the shrimp paste. 15 min to 25 min
  4. Braised Beef Cut the meat of 2 lb bone-in beef short ribs off the bones in large pieces; keep the bones. 5 min
  5. Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil, enough to coat the pot in a heavy pot over medium-high heat until very hot. Sear the beef in batches without crowding the pot until well browned on at least two sides. 15 min to 20 min
  6. Return all the beef to the pot with the bones. Add ½ cup coconut milk, for the braise and just enough water to cover, a tablespoon of the the massaman curry paste and 1 tbsp fish sauce. Simmer gently until the beef is fork tender. 120 to 150 min
  7. Massaman Curry In a second heavy pot, boil ¾ cup coconut milk, for frying the paste until reduced by about half and noticeably thicker. 5 min to 8 min
  8. Add the rest of the paste and fry over medium-low heat, stirring constantly, until the coconut oil separates. If it sticks before then, loosen it with a splash of the remaining coconut milk. 5 min to 10 min
  9. Stir in 1 ¼ cups coconut milk until the paste dissolves, then add half the 1 to 2 tbsp fish sauce, 3 tbsp palm sugar and 2 tbsp tamarind paste (tamarind concentrate).
  10. Lift the beef out of its braising liquid with tongs and add it to the curry with ½ large onions, 1 large white-fleshed sweet potato and ¼ cup roasted peanuts. Leave the bones behind unless there is still meat on them.
  11. Skim the fat and scum off the beef cooking liquid, then add just enough of it to the curry to keep everything submerged.
  12. Bring to a simmer and cook gently until the sweet potato is tender. 10 min to 15 min
  13. Taste and adjust with the rest of the fish sauce, more sugar or more tamarind until sweet, salty and tangy are in balance. Serve with steamed jasmine rice, for serving.
  • Safety: Whole cuts of beef should reach 63 °C (145 °F) at the centre, then rest 3 minutes. (USDA FSIS)