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Lamb Massaman Curry

Lamb Massaman Curry

5 from 1 vote
Luscious lamb. Baby potatoes for company. The intoxicating perfume of that lemongrass - kafir lime leaves -galangal steeped curry paste. The numbing fire of chillies. The earthy sweetness of coconut cream. Stewed languorously over a mellow flame. This is food at its decadent best. Enjoy !!!
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Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 30 minutes
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Thai Cuisines
Ingredients Method

Ingredients
  

  • 750 g lamb curry cut
  • 250 g baby potatoes boiled in salted water
  • 150 g shallots
  • 700 ml coconut cream
  • 500 ml coconut milk
  • 1/3 cup peanuts roasted and peeled
  • 3-4 bay leaves
  • 4-5 green cardamoms
  • 3 tbsp fish sauce
  • 1 tbsp tamarind paste
  • 4 tbsp oil
  • palm sugar or jaggery to taste
  • salt to taste
For the Massaman Curry Paste
  • 7-8 dry red chilies deseeded and soaked in water
  • 1/3 cup onions finele chopped
  • 2 tbsp galangal or ginger finely grated
  • 4 tbsp garlic finely chopped
  • 4 tbsp lemongrass finele chopped
  • 4 tbsp peanuts roasted and peeled
  • 1 tbsp coriander seeds
  • 3 tsp cumin seeds
  • 4-5 cloves
  • 2 one inch cinnamon sticks
  • 6 green cardamoms
  • 1/2 of nutmeg grated
  • 1 floret of mace coarsely ground

Method
 

For Massaman Curry Paste
  1. Roast the cumin seeds, coriander seeds, cloves, cinnamon and green cardamom separately over a moderate flame. Grind to a fine powder. Add the grated nutmeg and mace.
  2. Take the onions, galangal, garlic, chillies, lemongrass, coriander shoots and peanuts in a mortar, add the spice powder and hand-pound till it forms a smooth paste.
For the Massaman Curry
  1. Coarsely grind the peanuts, keep aside.
  2. Dissolve the tamarind paste in 2 tbsp water, keep aside.
  3. Heat 4 tbsp oil in pan, sear the lamb pieces in batches till evenly brown. Keep aside. Fry the baby potatoes and shallots in the same oil. Keep aside.
  4. Pour the coconut milk in a deep bottomed pot, throw in the bay leaves and green cardamom., bring to a gentle simmer. Add the lamb to the pot, let it stew over a low medium flame, about an hour or so.
  5. Crack the coconut cream in a separate hot pan. Add the massaman curry paste to the coconut cream in small increments, cook over a high flame, stirring occasionally, till the curry paste is completely incorporated and oil starts getting released from the paste.
  6. Add the fish sauce, palm sugar (or jaggery) and tamarind water. Give it a hearty stir. Cook for 3-5 minutes.
  7. Now add the paste to the stewing lamb, throw in the potatoes, onions and peanuts, give it a mix.
  8. Add a cup of warm water, continue to cook over a low-medium flame, some 20 minutes or so. Adjust seasonings. Serve hot.