"Macho Massaman"

After visiting Thailand, I discovered some new dishes that I'd like to share (maybe you've had them, maybe not) - either way - they were delicious. 

Here is one of my favorites:

Massaman Curry

I found a recipe online, and decided to give it a whirl.

Chicken Massaman Curry

Rated: Submitted By: pct2 Photo By: Jenn Horton Prep Time: 20 Minutes Cook Time: 35 Minutes Ready In: 55 Minutes Servings: 4

"This curry, flavored with tamarind and coconut milk, is ready in under an hour. Serve over plain white rice."

Ingredients:

2 tablespoons vegetable oil 3 tablespoons curry paste 1 (3/4 inch thick) slice ginger, minced 1 1/4 pounds skinless, boneless chicken breast meat - cubed 3 tablespoons brown sugar

3 tablespoons fish sauce 3 tablespoons tamarind paste 1/3 cup peanut butter 3 cups peeled, cubed potatoes 1 (13.5 ounce) can coconut milk 3 tablespoons fresh lime juice

Directions:

1.	Heat vegetable oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Stir in curry paste and minced ginger; cook and stir for 2 minutes. Stir in the cubed chicken, and cook until the pieces turn white on the outside, about 3 minutes.
2.	Stir in brown sugar, fish sauce, tamarind paste, peanut butter, potatoes, and coconut milk. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer until the potatoes are tender and the chicken pieces are no longer pink in the center, about 20 minutes. Add the lime juice and cook for an additional 5 minutes before serving.

For those in Korea, it may be difficult to find some ingredients. (especially tamarind and curry paste). I picked up some of them at the Foreign Market in Itaewon. For those I couldn't find while searching this weekend, I used some ingenuity and replaced them. I substituted tamarind with sesame paste (tahini), and forgot to pick up ginger (I stealthy used a honey ginger jelly tea as my ginger).

You can also substitute chicken with beef, pork or even tofu (reminder - it's a Muslim dish so pork isn't exactly authentic). I also recommend cutting back on the potatoes, using slightly less peanut butter, and using only 1 lb of meat and then serve with a fluffy white rice and cucumbers. Also, adding carrots, or playing around with cinnamon, nutmeg, bay leaves, almonds or cashews would be nice as well.

Try it, you won't be disappointed. (and for you anti-seafood folks don't worry about the fish sauce, you don't taste any fish - it just adds a little spice.)