The Perfect Massaman Curry Recipe for Cozy Nights

Crafting a delightful massaman curry transports you straight to the vibrant streets of Thailand with its rich, aromatic blend of spices.

Fragrant ingredients dance together, creating a symphony of flavors that comfort and excite the palate.

Tender meat melts into a creamy sauce, while roasted peanuts add a delightful crunch.

Layers of complexity unfold with each spoonful, telling a story of culinary tradition.

Coconut milk softens the robust spices, creating a harmonious balance that feels both exotic and familiar.

Cooking becomes an adventure, inviting you to explore the depths of southeast asian cuisine.

You’ll fall in love with this hearty, soul-warming dish that promises to become a cherished favorite.

Why James Martin Massaman Curry Is So Rich And Fragrant

• Savor Quick Comfort: This Massaman curry delivers a warm, satisfying meal that comes together faster than traditional curry recipes, perfect for busy weeknights or sudden hunger pangs.
• Customize with Ease: The recipe welcomes personal touches like swapping chicken for tofu, adjusting spice levels, or adding extra vegetables, making it incredibly flexible for different dietary preferences.
• Minimal Ingredient Mastery: With just a handful of pantry staples and simple cooking techniques, home cooks can create a restaurant-quality dish that tastes complex but requires minimal culinary skills.
• Global Flavor Adventure: Transport your taste buds to Thailand without leaving your kitchen, experiencing a rich, creamy curry that balances sweet, savory, and tangy notes in every delightful bite.

What You Need For James Martin Massaman Curry

• Chicken: Tender protein that forms the main body of the curry.

• Onion: Adds a soft, aromatic base to the curry.
• Potatoes: Hearty vegetable that provides substance and texture.
• Carrots: Adds natural sweetness and color to the dish.

• Ginger, Garlic: Provides depth and aromatic warmth to the curry.
• Curry Paste: Delivers complex, traditional Thai spice blend.
• Peanut Butter: Adds creamy richness and nutty depth.
• Lime Juice: Brings bright, tangy balance to the dish.
• Brown Sugar: Offers subtle sweetness to round out flavors.
• Fish Sauce: Introduces umami and traditional Southeast Asian seasoning.

• Coconut Milk: Creates a creamy, smooth base for the curry.
• Oil: Used for initial sautéing and cooking of ingredients.

• White Rice, Brown Rice: Optional accompaniment to serve with the curry.

How To Cook James Martin Massaman Curry With Ease

Step 1: Heat Oil and Soften Onions

In a large saucepan, warm the oil over gentle heat. Gently cook the onions until they become soft and translucent, releasing their sweet aroma.

Step 2: Prepare Vegetables and Chicken

• Fresh ginger
• Minced garlic
• Curry paste

Sauté everything together, stirring frequently until the chicken begins to turn golden.

Step 3: Create Curry Base

Pour in coconut milk and bring the mixture to a gentle boil. Reduce heat and let the curry simmer, allowing the flavors to meld and the chicken and potatoes to become tender. Cook until the chicken is completely cooked through and the potatoes are soft.

Step 4: Enhance Flavor Profile

• Creamy peanut butter
• Fresh lime juice
• Rich brown sugar
• Savory fish sauce

Continue simmering to blend the flavors and create a luscious, thick sauce.

Step 5: Serve and Enjoy

Ladle the steaming curry over fluffy white or brown rice. Garnish with fresh herbs if desired. The vibrant, aromatic dish is now ready to be savored.

Helpful Tips For James Martin Massaman Curry

• Boost Flavor Depth: Toast curry paste in oil before adding other ingredients to enhance the aromatic spices and release deeper, richer flavors.
• Prevent Mushy Vegetables: Cut potatoes and carrots into uniform, medium-sized chunks to ensure even cooking and maintain their texture.
• Control Spice Level: Adjust the amount of curry paste according to your heat tolerance, starting with less and gradually adding more.
• Thicken Sauce Smartly: If the curry seems too thin, let it simmer uncovered to reduce liquid and create a more concentrated, velvety consistency.
• Protein Swap Tip: Replace chicken with tofu, beef, or shrimp for variety, keeping cooking times appropriate for each protein type.

Fun Twists On James Martin Massaman Curry

• Vegetarian Massaman: Replace chicken with firm tofu or chickpeas, maintaining the same cooking technique and spice blend for a plant-based protein alternative.
• Seafood Swap: Substitute chicken with shrimp or white fish, adjusting cooking time to prevent overcooking delicate proteins while keeping the rich curry base.
• Low-Carb Version: Swap potatoes with cauliflower or zucchini chunks, reducing overall carbohydrate content while preserving the curry's authentic flavor profile.
• Spice-Lovers Edition: Increase curry paste quantity and add fresh chopped red chilies for an extra heat kick, creating a more intense and bold curry experience.

What Goes Well With James Martin Massaman Curry

• Crisp Riesling Rescue: Select a slightly sweet German Riesling with bright acidity to balance the curry's rich, spicy profile and cut through its creamy coconut base.
• Thai Beer Brilliance: Grab a cold Singha or Chang beer to complement the curry's complex flavors, with its light, crisp character refreshing the palate between bites.
• Mango Lassi Magic: Whip up a cool, creamy mango lassi to soothe the curry's spiciness and provide a sweet, tangy counterpoint that enhances the overall dining experience.

Best Way To Store James Martin Massaman Curry

• Store leftovers in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking, keeping them fresh in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.
• Transfer curry to freezer-safe containers, leaving some space for expansion. Freeze up to 2-3 months for later enjoyment.
• Place curry in a microwave-safe dish, cover with a damp paper towel, and heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between each to ensure even warming.
• Warm curry in a saucepan over medium-low heat, adding a splash of water or coconut milk to restore moisture and prevent sticking.

FAQs For James Martin Massaman Curry

• What is Massaman curry's origin?

Massaman curry is a Thai dish with Persian and Malay influences, known for its mild, slightly sweet flavor profile with complex spices.

• Is Massaman curry spicy?

Unlike other Thai curries, Massaman curry is mild and less spicy, making it perfect for people who prefer gentle, flavorful dishes.

• What makes Massaman curry unique?

Its distinctive taste comes from using warming spices like cinnamon, cardamom, and cloves, combined with coconut milk and nuts, creating a rich, creamy texture.

• Can I make this curry vegetarian?

Yes, simply replace chicken with tofu, chickpeas, or mixed vegetables while keeping the same spice and coconut milk base.

Massaman Curry Recipe

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4.7 from 24 reviews

• Total Time: 29 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Fragrant Massaman curry whisks diners straight to Thailand’s culinary landscapes, blending tender meat, creamy coconut, and warm spices in a soul-satisfying dish. Bold flavors and rich textures invite you to savor an authentic journey through southern Thai cuisine.

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Ingredients

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Proteins:

• 1 pound chicken breasts, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic
• 2 teaspoons freshly grated ginger

Vegetables and Starches:

• 1/2 onion, chopped
• 2 medium gold potatoes, peeled and chopped
• 2 carrots, peeled and sliced
• 1 4-ounce can massaman curry paste

Liquids and Seasonings:

• 2 tablespoons olive oil, coconut oil, or vegetable oil
• 2 cans (13.5 ounces) coconut milk
• 1 tablespoon peanut butter, smooth or crunchy
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar
• Juice from 1 lime
• 2 teaspoons fish sauce
• 1/2 cup chopped roasted peanuts
• Cilantro, for garnish

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Instructions

1. Warm oil in a large saucepan over gentle heat, gently sweating onions until translucent and fragrant, approximately 1-2 minutes.
2. Add diced potatoes and carrots to the pan, allowing them to slightly soften for 2-3 minutes.
3. Introduce chicken pieces and aromatics including ginger, garlic, and curry paste, stirring continuously to ensure even coating and cooking for about 3-4 minutes.
4. Pour coconut milk into the pan, bringing the mixture to a gentle boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 12-15 minutes until chicken is thoroughly cooked and vegetables are tender.
5. Incorporate peanut butter, fresh lime juice, brown sugar, and fish sauce, stirring to create a harmonious, rich sauce.
6. Continue simmering for an additional 4-5 minutes to meld flavors and slightly thicken the curry.
7. Remove from heat and let rest for 2-3 minutes to allow flavors to settle.
8. Serve piping hot over steamed white or brown rice, garnishing with optional fresh herbs or chopped peanuts if desired.

Notes

• Choose bone-in chicken thighs for extra flavor and juiciness, as they resist overcooking better than chicken breasts.
• Toast the curry paste in oil before adding other ingredients to enhance its aromatic spices and develop deeper, richer flavor profiles.
• If you’re avoiding dairy or want a lighter version, substitute coconut milk with low-sodium chicken broth and a splash of almond milk for creaminess.
• Prepare vegetables in uniform sizes to ensure even cooking, preventing some pieces from becoming mushy while others remain undercooked.

• Prep Time: 6 minutes
• Cook Time: 23 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: Thai

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 460 kcal
• Sugar: 12 g
• Sodium: 470 mg
• Fat: 28 g
• Saturated Fat: 15 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 13 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 30 g
• Fiber: 5 g
• Protein: 29 g
• Cholesterol: 70 mg