Massaman Curry

Our cupboards are close to bare, as it is the last few days before payday.

I was feeling creative and cruising around on Pinterest, when I came across this pin. It inspired me to want a curry-type noodle dish, but I don't have curry paste hanging around, so I looked up curry paste which then led me to a Massaman Curry recipe.  

I had most of the ingredients so I figured I'd give it a whirl and see how close I could get.  I had no potatoes, (I know, traditional Massaman pretty much always HAS potatoes) so I added some broccoli, carrots and green beans in addition to the noodles to make it go a little further.

Reese's Massaman-ish Curry with Tofu & Veggies

• 1 to 3 tbs vegetable oil
• 4 to 5 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/2 tsp red chili paste
• 1 tsp cilantro paste 
• 1/2 cube Not Chik'n boullion dissolved in 1/2 cup water
• 3 bay leaves (from Ellie Bluebell)
• 1 tsp turmeric
• 1/3 chopped dry roasted cashews
• 1 tsp cumin
• 1/2 tsp fine ground black pepper
• 1 tbs lime juice
• 1 tbs brown sugar
• 1 block extra firm tofu, cut in 1" chunks
• 1 13.5oz can coconut milk
• 2 tsp Homeward Bound PunJab Hot Sauce
• 1 cup frozen "cross-cut" carrots
• 1 cup frozen green beans
• 3-4 large stalks broccoli, cut into whatever size you like
• 1/2 pkg Japanese Udon noodles
• 1 pkg Ramen noodles 
• 1/2 cup water

Heat a wok, large frying pan, or soup-type pot over medium-high heat. Drizzle in the oil and swirl around, then add the garlic, chili paste, and cilantro paste. Stir-fry 1-2 minutes to release the fragrance.

Add the boullion, bay leaves, turmeric, chopped cashews, cumin, black pepper, lime juice, and sugar. Stir and bring to a light boil.

Add the tofu, stirring to coat with the spicy liquid, then add the coconut milk and PunJab. Stir and bring back up to a boil. Reduce heat to low, or just until you get a good simmer.

Simmer 10-12 minutes, stirring occasionally, add Udon noodles, separate so they don't stick together, and cover.

Simmer another 8 minutes, add Ramen noodles, broken up into quarters. 

Simmer another 2 minutes, add carrots, broccoli and final 1/2 cup of water, stir, cover and simmer until veggies are tender.

Add a handful more cashews and fold in. Transfer to a serving bowl, or plate up on individual plates or bowls. 

(This picture's lighting/color is weird... but it tastes fantastic!)