The world's best food - Massaman curry, Thailand

Emphatically the king of curries, and perhaps the king of all foods. Spicy, coconutty, sweet and savory. Even the packet sauce you buy from the supermarket can make the most delinquent of cooks look like a Michelin potential. Thankfully, someone invented rice, with which diners can mop up the last drizzles of curry sauce. "The Land of Smiles" isn't just a marketing catch-line. It's a result of being born in a land where the world's most delicious food is sold on nearly every street corner.

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Massaman curry is a rich, relatively mild Thai curry. Cardamom, cinnamon, cloves, star anise, cumin, bay leaves, nutmeg and mace are combined with more local flavors such as dried chili peppers, cilantro seeds, lemongrass, galangal, white pepper, shrimp paste, shallots and garlic to make massaman curry paste.

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Try this homemade Thai Massaman curry, which is made entirely from scratch. This famous Thai curry is rich and very flavorful. Made with chicken, beef, or lamb, it's a fragrant yellow curry that incorporates lemongrass and nuts together with other key Thai ingredients. Coconut milk is always used in this curry, as are bay leaves (instead of the harder-to-find makrut lime leaves).

This is a sumptuous dish to serve on a chilly fall or winter night, and leftovers are just perfect for hot weekday lunches. Serve with plain jasmine rice, or, for special occasions, with saffron rice or coconut rice.

Ingredients

2 tablespoons vegetable oil

1/2 small onion, sliced

1 (2-inch) piece ginger, peeled and grated

4 to 5 cloves garlic, minced

1 Thai bird's eye chili, sliced (or 1/2 to 3/4 teaspoons chili flakes or cayenne pepper)

1/2 cup chicken stock (good-tasting)

1 stalk of lemongrass (bottom four inches, minced; or 2 to 3 tablespoons frozen/bottled-prepared lemongrass)

3 bay leaves

1 teaspoon turmeric

1/4 cup chopped unsalted dry-roasted cashews (plus handful more to finish)

1 teaspoon ground coriander

1 teaspoon whole cumin seed

1/8 teaspoon cardamon

1 teaspoon tamarind (or substitute 1 tablespoon lime juice)

3/4 teaspoon shrimp paste (or 1 additional tablespoon fish sauce)

2 tablespoons fish sauce

1 tablespoon palm sugar (liquid or cake form, grated if in cake form; or brown sugar)

1/2 to 1 pound chicken pieces (or chopped chicken breast/thigh)

1 (14-ounce) can coconut milk (not lite)

1 to 2 medium waxy potatoes, cut into 1-inch chunks

1 small red bell pepper, thinly sliced

1 medium tomato, halved and sliced 1/4-inch thick

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Heat a wok, large frying pan, or soup-type pot over medium-high heat. Drizzle in the oil and swirl around, then add the onion, ginger, garlic, and chili. Stir-fry 1 to 2 minutes to release the fragrance.

Add onion, ginger, garlic, and chili to stir fry in skillet

Add the stock plus the following: lemongrass, bay leaves, turmeric, chopped cashews, ground coriander, whole cumin seed, cardamom, tamarind (or lime juice), shrimp paste, fish sauce, and sugar. Stir with each addition and bring to a light boil.

Add the rest of the Thai massaman curry ingredients and simmer

Add the chicken, stirring to coat with the spicy liquid, then add the coconut milk and potatoes. Stir and bring back up to a boil. Reduce heat to low, or just until you get a good simmer.

Add chicken, coconut milk and potatoes to simmer in skillet

Simmer 30 to 40 minutes, stirring occasionally, until chicken and potatoes are tender. Add red pepper and tomato during the last 10 to 15 minutes of cooking time. If you prefer a more liquid curry sauce, cover while simmering. If you prefer a thicker curry sauce, leave off the lid.

Add tomatoes and continue simmering curry

Taste-test the curry, adding more fish sauce for increased flavor/saltiness, or more chili if you want it spicier. If too sour, add a little more sugar. If too salty or sweet for your taste, add a touch more tamarind or lime juice. If too spicy, add more coconut milk.

Add a handful more cashews and fold in. Transfer to a serving bowl, or plate up on individual plates or bowls. Top with fresh coriander, if desired, and serve with Thai jasmine rice.

Serve Thai Massaman Chicken Curry with garnish and rice

Serve and enjoy!

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