Matt Tebbutt’s duck massaman curry

The British chef ’s version of the Thai classic is a spicy winter warmer. “This rich southern Thai curry is a fusion between Thai, Indian and Malay influences,” says chef and Saturday Kitchen host Matt Tebbutt. “Its characteristic spices, including cinnamon, nutmeg and cloves, were originally brought to Thailand by Muslim traders.”

SERVES 4

Ingredients

For the curry paste:

• 2 garlic cloves, chopped

• 1 red chilli, chopped

• 1 tsp Thai fermented shrimp paste

• 30g (1oz) toasted peanuts, chopped

• 1 banana shallot, chopped

• 1 thumb-sized piece of root ginger, chopped

• 2 lemongrass sticks, outer skin removed and core chopped

• 2 tsp tamarind paste

• Pinch of ground mace

• Pinch of freshly grated nutmeg

• Pinch of ground cinnamon

• 2 tsp palm sugar

• 2 tbsp fish sauce

• 1 tsp ground coriander

• 1 tsp ground cumin

• 2 whole cloves

For the duck curry:

• 2 duck breasts, skin removed and skin frozen for at least 40 minutes, meat chopped into 1cm (½ in) dice

• 2 tbsp vegetable oil

• 1 onion, chopped

• 2 bay leaves

• 3 cardamom pods

• 1 large potato, diced

• 3 tbsp curry paste (from the recipe above)

• 1 tbsp palm sugar

• 400ml (14fl oz) coconut milk

• Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper

To serve:

• 2 tbsp chopped coriander • 50g (1¾oz) roasted peanuts, roughly chopped • Steamed jasmine rice (cook 60–70g (2¼–2½oz per person)

METHOD

THIS RICH SOUTHERN THAI CURRY IS A FUSION BETWEEN THAI, INDIAN AND MALAY INFLUENCES

1. Put all the ingredients for the curry paste into a food processor and blend to a fairly smooth paste.

2. Remove the duck skin from the freezer and cut very thinly using a sharp knife. Heat a small pan over a high heat. When hot, add the duck skin and cook, stirring until crispy. Season with salt and pepper and set aside.

3. For the duck curry, heat a medium sauté pan over a medium heat, then add the oil. Once hot, add the onion and the spices and cook, stirring until soft – this should take about 10 minutes. Add the potatoes, curry paste and palm sugar.

4. Stir in the coconut milk and simmer over a low heat until the potatoes are just tender when tested with the tip of a sharp knife, about 10 minutes.

5. Add the duck meat and continue to simmer for five to six more minutes.

6. Don’t let it boil or the meat will become tough. Taste and season with salt and pepper.

7. Spoon the curry into serving bowls and garnish with the chopped coriander and peanuts, then top with the crispy duck skin.

8. Serve with steamed jasmine rice.

z Weekend by Matt Tebbutt, photography by Chris Terry, is published

by Quadrille, priced £22. Available now.