This authentic Massaman curry paste recipe is the perfect base for classic Thai Massaman Curry. This simple two-step Massaman paste is fast and easy to prepare.
Massaman curry is one of the most popular dishes among food in Thailand. With a mild, slightly sweet, and tangy taste made by combining spices, shallots, and pastes, this dish is vastly different from other popular Thai curries such as green curry and red curry. Although it’s not typically spicy, you won’t miss out on the classic flavor and aromatic notes that make Thai curry dishes so popular in Thailand and around the world.
This Massaman curry paste is the base for Thai Massaman curry made with proteins such as chicken, lamb, or beef Massaman curry.
Massaman Curry Paste Recipe
It’s possible to buy it at most stores. But the reason that so many people (including myself) decide to make Massaman curry paste from scratch is that it gives you the sweet, fresh flavor that curry paste in a jar simply can’t mimic.
A DIY Massaman curry paste lets you get that signature bright red color that makes Massaman curry stand out from yellow curry and green curry paste.
Making this Massaman curry paste recipe is quick and easy. Just gather the ingredients, and combine until they’re smooth. The most challenging part is knowing the Massaman curry paste ingredients, but I’ll let you know exactly what to look for.
Massaman Curry Paste Ingredients
Choosing the right ingredients for Massaman curry paste is important to making the dish authentic and delicious. Too many substitutions and you’ll lose that unique blend of tangy flavor and aroma that make this one of the most popular foods in Thailand and around the world.
Dried Red Chillies
Unlike most curry paste recipes, Massaman curry uses dried chilies rather than fresh ones. The trick is to de-seed the chilies and then soak them in cold water for 5 minutes.
Fried Shallots
Giving the Massaman curry a complex and rich flavor as well as adding to the sweetness, fried shallots are a key Massaman curry ingredient. Fry the shallots in a few tbsp of oil until they are nice and crispy.
Fried Chopped Garlic
Like the shallots, the key to a good Massaman curry paste is to use finely chopped garlic that is lightly fried. Don’t allow the garlic to burn, but fry it for about 30 seconds in a tsp of oil in order to release the flavor and give the garlic a light crispiness.
Shrimp Paste
The aromatic shrimp paste is a core ingredient in Thai green curry paste. This signature piece gives curry its distinctive smell and contributes to its intense flavor. Shrimp paste is available in most grocery stores with an Asian food section. You can also order it online.
Other Massaman Curry Paste Ingredients
Listed above are the more challenging to-find ingredients for Massaman curry paste. But it’s important to have everything ready to go before you make this recipe, so here are the final, more straightforward ingredients.
- Roasted dry coriander seeds
- Cumin seeds
- Star anise
- Bay leaves
- Cinnamon
- Cardamon seeds
- Salt
How To Make Green Curry Paste from Scratch
Massaman Curry Paste Recipe
This Massaman curry paste recipe provides the perfect sweet, tangy, and mild base for your favorite Massman curry dishes. Combining fresh ingredients with a delicious finish, you'll never go back to store-bought after this.
Ingredients
- 5-6 dried de-seeded red chilies. Soak in cold water for 5 min.
- 1 tsp fried shallots. Chopped.
- 1 tsp fried garlic. Chopped
- 1/4 tsp dried coriander seeds
- 1/4 tsp roasted cumin seeds
- 1/4 tsp shrimp paste
- 2 roasted star anise
- 2-3 roasted bay leaves
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 2 roasted cardamom seeds
- 1 pinch of salt
Instructions
- Place all ingredients in a stone mortar.
- Pound the ingredients into a fine-textured paste.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 4 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving:Calories: 143Total Fat: 7gCarbohydrates: 17gProtein: 5g
How To Store Massaman Curry Paste
Fresh Massaman curry paste combines fresh, flavorful, and aromatic ingredients. It’s best to use your Massaman curry paste immediately. If you need to hang on to some extra curry paste for later, transfer it to a clean, screw-top jar and cover it with a layer of oil. This will allow you to store it in the fridge for up to one month.
If you need it to last longer, transfer it to a resealable plastic bag and freeze it for up to three months.
What To Use Massaman Curry Paste For
Massaman curry paste is the key ingredient for every Massaman curry recipe. Among the most popular dishes that you can use this paste for include Massaman curry chicken, Massaman curry beef, and vegetarian Massaman curry.
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