🥜🐮 Massaman Curry Beef (Massaman Curry) Super detailed recipe + authentic Hong Kong version tips

Massaman Beef Curry is a Thai state-of-the-art curry, earning the title of "World's Best Curry"! Its rich, complex flavors, infused with Indian spices like cinnamon, cloves, cumin, and star anise, are complemented by a sweet coconut milk and peanut aroma. The beef is tender, flavorful, and goes really well with rice. It's actually quite easy to make at home, thanks to our editor's selection of local Hong Kong ingredients, ensuring you'll still achieve the same exceptional taste! 🍛🥄

Essential ingredients (serves 3-4)

• 500g beef ribs/brisket/shoulder (large piece)

• 2-3 potatoes (cut into thick pieces)

• 1 carrot (cut into thick sections)

• 1 onion (sliced)

• 1 packet of massaman curry paste (about 70-100g, brands such as Blue Elephant or Aroy-D)

• 400ml coconut milk (one can)

• Beef broth/200ml water

• 30g peanut kernels (fried until fragrant)

• 1 star anise

• 1 cinnamon stick

• 2 lemon leaves (torn, not necessary but very fragrant)

• 1-2 tablespoons fish sauce

• 1.5 tablespoons coconut sugar or brown sugar

• 1 tablespoon lemon juice or 1 teaspoon tamarind paste (optional for a more flavorful finish)

• 1 tablespoon oil

Detailed cooking process

1️⃣ Cut the beef into large pieces, blanch in boiling water for 3 minutes, remove the blood and drain.
2️⃣ Heat oil in a wok over medium heat, add star anise and cinnamon, stir-fry until fragrant. Add onion and carrot, stir-fry until softened. Remove from heat and set aside.
3️⃣ Add curry paste and stir-fry until fragrant, add coconut milk in 2 batches (add 1/2 can first, and stir-fry until the oil separates and becomes fragrant), then return the beef to the pan and stir-fry.
4️⃣ Add beef broth/water, peanuts, beef, potatoes, carrots, onions, and lemon leaves. Bring to a boil, then cover and simmer over low heat for about 60-80 minutes, until the beef and potatoes are tender.
5️⃣ Add fish sauce and coconut sugar. You can add lemon juice or tamarind paste as needed (to enhance the sweetness and sourness and fruity aroma). Taste and adjust the mixture as needed.
6️⃣ Finally, sprinkle with chopped peanuts (cashews are also available) and serve hot. It goes great with rice, roti or French bread!

Editor's Tips

• Massaman curry has a unique flavor trio of sweet, salty, sour, and coconut milk peanut aroma, without being too spicy.

• Choose beef with more tendons as it is more tender and flavorful.

• Add coconut milk in sections and simmer slowly to ensure the curry is fragrant and smooth.

• What to order: Rice, roti, and baguette; the leftover curry sauce is even more potent when left overnight.

• Coconut milk can be partially replaced with fresh milk to reduce greasiness.

• If you are afraid of spicy food, remember to reduce the amount of homemade curry sauce.

Tender beef, tender potatoes, and a tantalizing aroma of spices—make this for a family gathering—and even the broth will be gone! What are you waiting for, Thai food fans? Get started with this star-studded curry! 🥜🥔🐮🍛