Chicken Massaman Curry – Rich Thai Curry with homemade date syrup (silan)

👨‍🍳 Method

For the homemade date syrup (silan) ✓ Homemade · or skip – back to store-bought

1. 1
   Put the dates and water in a pot and bring to a boil.

   StovePot
2. 2
   Cook over low heat 5 minutes and mash the dates with a wooden spoon.

   Stove
3. 3
   Line a sieve with thin cloth and set it over a bowl. Pour in the mixture, press the dates with a spoon, gather the edges of the cloth and squeeze well.

   ColanderCheeseclothBowl
4. 4
   Return the liquid to the pot and reduce over low heat about half an hour, until to a thick syrup.

   StovePot
5. 5
   Let the date syrup cool.

   Jar

For the Meat Stew

1. 6
   Heat the oil in a large pan.

   StoveFrying pan
2. 7
   Add the curry paste and fry 1 minute, stirring.

   Stove

   💡Add by cooking time: what needs long (onion, carrot, meat) goes in first, and what burns fast (garlic, dry spices) goes in last, only until fragrant.
3. 8
   Add the chicken breast and fry 5 minutes.

   Stove
4. 9
   Add the salt and stir.
5. 10
   Add the potatoes, water, coconut milk, onion and bay leaves and bring to a boil.

   Stove
6. 11
   Turn down the heat, cover and simmer 25 minutes, until the potatoes are soft.

   StoveLid

   💡A gentle simmer, not a boil: a hard boil dries the food out and clouds it, a slow simmer cooks it evenly.
7. 12
   Add the date syrup and lemon juice and stir.
8. 13
   Sprinkle the peanuts on top.
9. 14
   Serve the stew with white rice.