Easy Massaman Beef Curry 🇹🇭

Look around the Asian section of our supermarket these days and you'll find an array of sauces and pastes for making quick and delicious curries.  I have my favourite brands such as 'Valcom'  which I use in this recipe for a Thai Massaman Beef Curry.  On the jar's label, it says the paste is a product of Thailand and has an impressive list of ingredients including garlic, lemongrass, galangal, chilli, coriander seed, cumin, cinnamon, nutmeg, mace, cardamom and shrimp paste.  Cooked with coconut milk, the curry is rich and tasty with just a hint of spiciness.  Thick chunks of stewing beef are used here, matched in their size with baby potatoes, all simmered down to mouthwatering tenderness.  Sprinkle over fried shallots, peanuts and fresh herbs to add colour, flavour and texture.  

Serves

INGREDIENTS  

• 1kg / 2lb 4oz chuck steak or gravy beef, cut into thick big chunks
• sea salt
• freshly ground black pepper
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• ⅓ cup Massaman curry paste
• 1 onion, about 250g / 9oz, cut into chunks
• 4-5 baby potatoes, about 320g / 11⅓oz
• 400ml / 13½fl oz tinned coconut milk
• 1 teaspoon fish sauce
• 1 tablespoon brown sugar or coconut sugar
• 2 tablespoons lime juice
• ¼ cup fried shallots, for garnishing
• ½ cup roasted, unsalted peanuts, for garnishing
• a handful of coriander leaves or chopped spring onions, for garnishing

METHOD

1. Lightly season the beef with salt and pepper.
2. Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a large heavy based saucepan on high until very hot.  Add beef, in batches, to brown all over (about 3 minutes).  Remove and set aside on a plate.
3. Reduce heat to medium and add the remaining oil and the curry paste.  Cook, stirring, for 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
4. Return the meat to the pan and coat with paste.
5. Add the onions, then the coconut milk.  Stir to combine.
6. Cover and reduce heat to low. Let simmer for 1 hour, checking it midway through  and give it a stir. 
7. After 1 hour, add the potatoes and continue to cook for another ½ hour or until the beef is very tender and the potatoes are softened. 
8. Remove from heat.  Stir in the fish sauce, sugar and lime juice. Have a taste of the curry and adjust seasoning as required.
9. Sprinkle over shallots, peanuts and herbs. Serve with rice.