The Delightful World of Thai Massaman Curry: A Comforting Family Favourite
Massaman curry holds a special place in the hearts of those who love Thai cuisine. It offers a beautiful balance between rich, deep flavours and a mild spice profile, making it an excellent dish for anyone who enjoys the more aromatic side of Thai food without overwhelming heat. Among its many variations, Chicken Drumstick Massaman Curry stands out as a perfect example of comfort food with exotic flavours. In this blog, we’ll explore the beauty of this dish, its history, and how to prepare it.
What Makes Massaman Curry Unique?
At its heart, Massaman curry is a blend of Thai and Middle Eastern flavours, drawing influence from the spice trade and the Islamic heritage that reached Thailand centuries ago. This is why you’ll find familiar spices such as cumin, cinnamon, cardamom, and cloves in a dish that also includes classic Thai ingredients like coconut milk and tamarind. While other Thai curries like red and green are more fiery, Massaman is known for being more mellow, with a rich, savoury sauce that appeals to a wide audience.
Massaman curry typically features a protein, which can range from chicken or beef to lamb, paired with starchy vegetables like potatoes, along with onions, peanuts, and tamarind juice. The curry is simmered slowly, allowing the flavours to deepen and the meat to become tender and flavourful.
The unique Islamic influence on this dish also explains why you won’t traditionally find pork used in Massaman curry. Instead, chicken, beef, and lamb are more commonly used to align with dietary customs. Chicken drumsticks, in particular, are a popular choice because they remain tender and juicy throughout the slow cooking process, soaking up the rich curry sauce.
The Ingredients That Bring It All Together
To make a Chicken Drumstick Massaman Curry, you’ll need a combination of pantry staples and a few specialised ingredients. Here’s a look at the core elements that make this dish so special:
- Massaman Curry Paste: The base of the dish is made from a blend of exotic spices and herbs like galangal, lemongrass, coriander, cumin, cinnamon, and cloves. Using a high-quality Massaman curry paste, such as Mae Jum’s Thai Massaman curry paste, ensures that you capture all the traditional flavours without spending hours grinding spices.
- Chicken Drumsticks: The dark meat of chicken drumsticks is ideal for curries as it holds up well to long cooking times, staying tender and juicy while absorbing the rich flavours of the sauce.
- Coconut Milk: Coconut milk is essential to creating the creamy texture and richness that defines Massaman curry. The thick, creamy layer of coconut milk adds a velvety texture to the dish, making it indulgent yet comforting.
- Potatoes and Onions: These starchy vegetables give body to the dish, helping to thicken the sauce and making the curry more filling. The sweetness of the onions and the creaminess of the potatoes add complexity to the dish’s flavour profile.
- Tamarind Juice: Tamarind adds a subtle sourness to balance the richness of the curry. If you can’t find ready-made tamarind juice, you can soak dried tamarind in warm water to extract the juice, as mentioned in the original recipe.
- Peanuts: A signature of Massaman curry is the addition of peanuts, which provide a crunchy contrast to the soft chicken and potatoes, as well as adding a subtle nutty flavour to the dish.
- Palm Sugar: This ingredient helps to balance the flavours, providing a gentle sweetness that enhances the complexity of the spices and tamarind.
Cooking Chicken Drumstick Massaman Curry
Let’s dive into how you can make this comforting dish at home. The recipe is simple but does require some patience to allow the flavours to develop fully.
Step 1: Preparation
As with many Thai dishes, preparation is key. Begin by peeling and chopping the potatoes and onions into quarters. You’ll also need to prepare the tamarind juice if you’re making it from dried tamarind.
Step 2: Fry the Curry Paste
In a large saucepan or wok, heat a couple of tablespoons of oil over medium-high heat. Add the Massaman curry paste and stir-fry for 2-3 minutes to release the aromas of the spices. This step is crucial for building the depth of flavour in the dish.
Step 3: Add Coconut Milk and Seasonings
Scoop out the thick layer of coconut milk from the top of an unshaken can and add it to the pan, stirring to mix with the curry paste. Follow this by adding fish sauce, palm sugar, and tamarind juice. Allow the mixture to simmer for 5 minutes until the oils rise to the surface, signalling that the flavours are beginning to meld together.
Step 4: Cook the Chicken Drumsticks
Add the chicken drumsticks to the pan and stir until they are fully coated in the curry sauce. Pour in about 200ml of water to thin out the sauce and bring everything to a gentle boil. Let it simmer for 10 minutes, allowing the chicken to begin cooking.
Step 5: Add Vegetables and Peanuts
Next, add the chopped potatoes, onions, peanuts, and the remaining coconut milk to the pan. Season with a generous pinch of salt, then cover the pan and simmer for 20 minutes. After 20 minutes, remove the lid and simmer for another 15 minutes, allowing the sauce to thicken. Check that the potatoes are fully cooked before proceeding to the next step.
Step 6: Final Touches
Add the cherry tomatoes towards the end of cooking, stirring them into the sauce. Let the tomatoes soften slightly before turning off the heat. If desired, garnish the curry with fresh red chillies or coriander leaves for an extra pop of colour and flavour.
Step 7: Serve and Enjoy
Serve the curry with freshly steamed Thai jasmine rice, which complements the rich, creamy sauce perfectly. The rice will absorb the curry, making each bite flavourful and satisfying.
Adjusting the Flavour to Your Taste
While Massaman curry is typically mild, you can easily adjust the spice level to suit your family’s taste. For those who enjoy a bit more heat, consider adding a few fresh or dried red chillies to the curry. If you’re cooking for younger members of the family, as noted in the original recipe, you can keep the curry mild by omitting extra chillies and letting the aromatic spices take centre stage.
Similarly, if you prefer a richer or sweeter curry, you can add more palm sugar or even a touch of cinnamon to enhance the natural sweetness of the coconut milk.
The Versatility of Massaman Curry
One of the best things about Massaman curry is its versatility. While this recipe calls for chicken drumsticks, the dish can easily be adapted to suit different proteins. Beef, in particular, is a popular choice for Massaman curry. Slow-cooked beef Massaman is deeply flavourful, with tender chunks of beef that melt in your mouth.
For a vegetarian or vegan version, you can swap the chicken for tofu or additional vegetables like aubergine or butternut squash. The rich curry sauce pairs beautifully with any protein or vegetable, making it a versatile dish that can be adapted to suit any diet.
Conclusion: A Perfect Family Dish
Chicken Drumstick Massaman Curry is the perfect dish for family gatherings. Its mild spice level and rich, comforting flavours appeal to both adults and children, making it an ideal choice for those new to Thai cuisine. The dish’s depth comes from the complex interplay of spices, coconut milk, tamarind, and peanuts, creating a unique flavour profile that is both exotic and familiar.
Whether you’re preparing it for a special occasion or as a hearty weeknight meal, this Massaman curry recipe is sure to impress. The next time you’re in the mood for a mild, comforting curry with a Thai twist, give this recipe a try. Your kitchen will be filled with the wonderful aromas of cinnamon, cardamom, and cumin, and your family will be asking for seconds!
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