Massaman Curry Paste

Fragrant and not too hot.  Use with beef, chicken or pork.  If you leave out the fish sauce, you can use it for a vegetarian meal.

Ingredients:

• • 1 tablespoon coriander seeds

  • 1 teaspoon black peppercorns

  • 1 tablespoon cumin seeds

  • 1 teaspoon cardamom seeds

  • 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg

  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves

  • 1 small onion or 3 shallots, peeled and chopped

  • 5 cloves garlic, peeled

  • 2 red chillies, seeds removed and flesh roughly chopped

  • 4 cm piece galangal (or ginger), peeled and sliced

  • 2 stalks lemongrass, outer leaves and bulb removed, then sliced thinly (or 2 tablespoons bottled lemongrass)

  • 2 kaffir lime leaves, sliced

  • 1/4 cup peanut or macadamia paste

  • 2 tablespoons fish sauce or 1 tablespoon shrimp paste (optional)

Method:

• 1. Toast coriander seeds, peppercorns, cumin seeds and cardamom seeds until fragrant.

  2. pour into a mortar and pound seeds until powdered

  3. add all other ingredients and pound until you have a pase

  4. bottle and refrigerate until required.

Tips:

This mix will keep in the fridge for a couple of weeks.  I generally use half the mix for a serving to 4 people.