Slow-Braised Beef Massaman Curry With Spinach and Peanuts
A deeply nourishing Thai-inspired curry featuring tender beef and hearty potatoes. Finished with wilted spinach, green peas, and roasted peanuts for a comforting, nutrient-dense meal.
Prep
20 min
Cook
120 min
Total
140 min
Makes
4 servings
The feel-good payoff
Why this meal can feel especially good in perimenopause
Think practical wins: steadier energy, comfortable fullness and one less food decision. Your response is personal, so use the prompts below to notice what works for you.
Perimenopause symptoms and relief · Office on Women’s HealthSteadier energy
Feel fueled, not flattened
A complete meal with protein, carbohydrates and fats is designed to offer more staying power than a quick carb-only fix.
Notice: energy 1–3 hours later
A better-fueled day
Make regular eating and hydration easier
Use this meal as an easy anchor for regular food and a glass of water—two simple things that can get lost on a busy day.
Notice: timing + hydration
Clearer, simpler choices
Let the recipe do the thinking
Clear steps and a complete plate mean fewer decisions when focus is in short supply—and a more substantial meal once you are done.
Notice: focus + energy later
More staying power
Make the next few hours easier
This meal is built to be more sustaining than a snack-sized stopgap, with enough substance to carry you into the next part of the day.
Notice: energy + fullness later
Setup
Get set up
Choose your servings, gather what you need, then cook along below.
Prep
20 min
Cook
120 min
Total
140 min
How many are you cooking for?
The ingredient amounts update automatically.
Equipment
Oven · Knife and cutting board
Time saver
Make it ahead: Curries like this taste even better the next day as the flavors meld. Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
Do these three things first
- 1Set out all ingredients before cooking
- 2Measure the pantry ingredients before heating the pan
- 3Read through the steps once before you begin
Ingredients
Gather as you go
Ingredients
From Your Pantry
Cook along
Instructions
0 of 7 steps complete
Next: Heat olive oil in a heavy-bottomed pot…
- 01
Heat olive oil in a heavy-bottomed pot…
Heat olive oil in a heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Season the beef chuck with salt and brown the meat on all sides (about 5 to 7 minutes). Remove the beef and set aside.
Allow: 5 to 7 minutes
Tap card to mark done - 02
Reduce the heat to medium
Reduce the heat to medium. Add the massaman curry paste to the pot and stir constantly for 1 to 2 minutes until deeply fragrant.
Look for: deeply fragrant
Tap card to mark done - 03
Pour in the coconut milk
Pour in the coconut milk, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pot. Return the beef to the pot and add water.
Tap card to mark done - 04
Bring to a gentle simmer
Bring to a gentle simmer, cover, and reduce the heat to low. Let it cook for 1.5 hours, stirring occasionally, until the beef is mostly tender.
Look for: the beef is mostly tender
Tap card to mark done - 05
Add the yellow potatoes and peanuts
Add the yellow potatoes and peanuts. Cover and simmer for another 20 minutes, or until a fork easily pierces the potatoes.
Look for: a fork easily pierces the potatoes
Tap card to mark done - 06
Stir in the frozen peas and baby…
Stir in the frozen peas and baby spinach. Cook uncovered for 2 to 3 minutes until the peas are warmed through and the spinach is fully wilted.
Look for: the peas are warmed through and the spinach is fully wilted
Tap card to mark done - 07
Taste the broth and season with a…
Taste the broth and season with a generous pinch of salt and a squeeze of fresh lime juice if you have it on hand. Serve hot.
Ready when: everything is assembled and ready to enjoy
Tap card to mark done
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