Massaman Curry Paste

also called prik gaeng massaman · gaeng massamun paste · matsaman paste · mussaman curry paste · massaman paste · massamun paste

Three ways to read this recipe

The table

Massaman Curry Paste: ingredients down the left, what to do with them across. Tap any cell to cross it off.
8(stemmed and seeded)dried long red chilessoak 20 min, drain and choppound to a fibrous pastework in
5(unpeeled)shallotschar 10 min, then peel
10 cloves(unpeeled)garlic
1 tspkosher salt
2 stalks(tender parts only, thinly sliced)lemongrass
1 Tbs(peeled and chopped)galangal
1 Tbscoriander seedstoast 3 min, grind in a mortar
2 tspcumin seeds
5(cracked)green cardamom pods
5cloves
1(broken up)cinnamon stick
1star anise
1 Tbs(kapi)shrimp paste
Tap anything to cross it off.

What to lay out

Everything the recipe asks for, sitting under the step that eats it. Tick each one as you measure it.15 things to get out.

Pans and tools

1soak 20 min, drain and chop

2char 10 min, then peel

3toast 3 min, grind in a mortar

4pound to a fibrous paste

goes in with what steps 1 and 2 made

5work in

goes in with what steps 3 and 4 made

Cooking it

Tap a step when it is done; the next one lights up.

The clock

Start to finish
at least 20 min2 of 5 steps give no time
Needs you
about 3 min
If you get it wrong
Narrow — the spices burn while the aromatics are still pale, so the two minutes and the ten never happen in the same pan
  1. soak 20 min, drain and chop

    20 minwalk awayfrom the start

  2. toast 3 min, grind in a mortar

    3 minneeds youfrom the start

  3. char 10 min, then peel

    10 minwalk awayfrom the start

  4. pound to a fibrous paste

    not timed20 min in

  5. work in

    not timed20 min in

You'll need mortar · skillet

Goes with

See how it is written
>> title: Massaman Curry Paste
>> category: Spice Blends & Marinades
>> tags: thai, cinnamon, paste, chiles, curry
>> counters: Thai Kitchen
>> aka: prik gaeng massaman, gaeng massamun paste, matsaman paste, mussaman curry paste, massaman paste, massamun paste
>> pairs-with: massaman-curry
>> servings: 8
>> time: 1 hr
>> slack: narrow — the spices burn while the aromatics are still pale, so the two minutes and the ten never happen in the same pan

>> step: soak 20 min, drain and chop
Soak @dried long red chiles{8}(stemmed and seeded) in hot water for ~soak{20%min}, then drain and chop them.

>> step: toast 3 min, grind in a mortar
Toast @coriander seeds{1%Tbs}, @cumin seeds{2%tsp}, @green cardamom pods{5}(cracked), @cloves{5}, @cinnamon stick{1}(broken up) and @star anise{1} in a dry #skillet{} over medium heat for ~toast{3%min}, until the cardamom smells of camphor, then grind them to a powder in a #mortar{}.

>> step: char 10 min, then peel
Char @shallots{5}(unpeeled) and @garlic{10%cloves}(unpeeled) in the same dry #skillet{} over medium-high heat for ~roast{10%min}, turning them until they blacken in patches and soften, then peel them.

>> step: pound to a fibrous paste
Pound @&(~3)soaked chiles{} and @&(~1)charred shallots and garlic{} with @kosher salt{1%tsp}, @lemongrass{2%stalks}(tender parts only, thinly sliced) and @galangal{1%Tbs}(peeled and chopped) to a fibrous paste.

>> step: work in
Work @&(~3)ground spices{} and @shrimp paste{1%Tbs}(kapi) into @&(~1)paste{}.