Beef Massaman

Whenever I have a Thai curry I always go for a Massaman. Mum spent a few hours researching for us to recreate at home and her research paid off! She settled on an absolute winner from @recipe_tin👏🏻🇹🇭

Spice paste:
✔️1 lemongrass
✔️6 dried red chillis
✔️4 shallots peeled
✔️5 cloves garlic unpeeled
✔️3 cm galangal peeled, cut into 3/4 cm slices (or ginger)
✔️4 – 6 tbsp water
Spice paste dried ingredients: 
✔️1/2 tsp ground cloves
✔️3/4 tsp cumin
✔️1/8 tsp ground nutmeg
✔️3/4 tsp coriander
✔️1/2 tsp cardamom
✔️1/2 tsp cinnamon
Curry sauce:
✔️65 ml vegetable oil
✔️1 can coconut milk
✔️1 cinnamon stick
✔️1 star anise
✔️1 tsp tamarind paste
✔️1 tbsp fish sauce
✔️1 tbsp white sugar
✔️2 potatoes, peeled & cut into 2.5cm 
Beef:
✔️700g stewing steak in 4cm pieces ✔️500 ml beef stock
✔️2 bay leaves

Remove reedy outer layers of lemongrass & finely chop the white part for the paste, reserving the rest for the beef. Place beef ingredients in a pan, liquid should almost cover beef but not completely. Add lemongrass trimmings, bring to boil then reduce heat & simmer for 1.5 – 2 hours until beef is tender. Remove beef & set liquid aside.

Put a pan over high heat & add shallots, garlic & galangal, get a char on them & remove. Add dried chillies, char 10 secs on each side then remove. Once cool, grate galangal, peel garlic, break chillies in half, shake out seeds & discard.
Dried spices: Heat pan on medium heat, add Spice Paste Dried Spices. Toast for 30 seconds then transfer to bowl. Curry paste: Place chillies in food processor until finely chopped. Add galangal, finely chopped lemongrass, toasted Spice Paste Dried Spices & remaining Spice Paste ingredients, starting with 4 tbsp water. Blitz until smooth – add more water if required.
Curry sauce: Place oil in pan on medium heat. Add curry paste & cook for 3mins until liquid has cooked out. Add coconut milk, then add cinnamon, star anise & beef liquid. Reduce heat to medium & simmer for 3mins. Add fish sauce, tamarind & sugar, stir. Add potatoes & cook for 7mins until potatoes are tender. Add beef & simmer for 2mins until sauce has reduced & thickened.Serve with chopped peanuts fresh chillies & fresh coriander.