Beef Massaman
A mild, fragrant Thai curry of beef, squash and peanuts in coconut with cinnamon, cardamom and tamarind.
makes 19 blocks, about 58p each
- Time
- 2 hr 45 min20 min prep · 2 hr 25 min cook
- Makes
- 19 blocks
- Cost per blockPer block
- 58p
- Calories per blockCalories
- 142 kcal
- Spice
- 2 of 5
You’ll need
- 700gbeef joint (topside, silverside or brisket)
- 1 × 400ml tincoconut milk
- 300gbutternut squash, 2cm dice
- 150gonion, sliced
- 40gsmooth peanut butter
- 30groasted peanuts, chopped
- 20mlfish sauce
- 15g (1 tbsp)tamarind paste
- 15glight brown sugar
- 10mlrapeseed oil
- 200mlwater
For the paste
- 2 stemslemongrass
- 4 cloves (20g)garlic
- 20gfresh ginger
- 1 (10g)red chilli
- 6gcinnamon, cardamom, cumin, coriander, nutmeg, clove
or 3 tbsp (about 50g) massaman curry paste
Allergens: Fish, Peanuts. Check the labels on stock cubes, sauces and pastes, as brands vary.
Serve it
Jasmine rice · Roti · Rice noodles
Method
- Step 1: Blitz the lemongrass, garlic, ginger, chilli and spices with a splash of water to a paste.
- Step 2: Soften the onion in the oil for 5 minutes, then fry the paste for 2 minutes.
- Step 3: Cut the beef into 3cm chunks and brown it in the paste. Add the coconut milk, water, fish sauce, tamarind, sugar and peanut butter.
- Step 4: Cover and simmer gently until the beef is tender. (2 hr) Add the squash and simmer uncovered for 20 minutes.
- Step 5: Break the beef up a little and stir in the peanuts. Cool and freeze in 70g blocks.
Hotter: keep the chilli seeds in and add a second chilli.
| kcal | protein | carbs | fat | fibre | salt | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Per block | 142 | 9.5g | 6g | 8.9g | 0.9g | 0.42g |
| Per 3 blocks | 426 | 28.5g | 18g | 26.7g | 2.7g | 1.26g |
Cook’s notes
- Mild enough for most people; deseed the chilli or leave it out.
- Potatoes are traditional, but squash freezes better in blocks.
- Scatter extra chopped peanuts and coriander at serving.
Serve it
Jasmine rice · Roti · Rice noodles.
Freeze, reheat and serve
- Freeze
- Cool it within two hours, portion it into 70g blocks in a silicone tray, then bag and label them. It keeps for 3 months.
- Reheat
- Microwave 3 blocks, covered, for 1 minute, stir, then heat for another 1 to 2 minutes until piping hot all the way through. Or warm them in a pan with a splash of water. Never refreeze thawed blocks.
- A portion
- 3 blocks (210g) make a dinner for one adult: about 426 kcal and 28.5g protein before rice, bread or potatoes.
Beef Massaman questions
Can I use chicken instead of beef?
Chicken thighs work well. Cut them into chunks, brown them in the paste and simmer covered for about 30 minutes before adding the squash.
Can I make it without peanuts?
Leave out both the peanut butter and the chopped peanuts. The sauce is a little less rich, so simmer it uncovered for a few extra minutes to thicken.
What if I can't find tamarind paste?
A squeeze of lime juice with a little extra sugar gives a similar sweet-sour balance. Add it at the end and taste as you go.
Sauces that go with it
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Updated . Nutrition, costs and yields are estimates.