Massaman Curry Lab · Decision tree
Find your massaman curry
Three questions sort all 95 recipes into 8 groups. Each question is about one of the ingredients recipes disagree on most, and splits the recipes in front of it at their own median, so each answer keeps about half of them. Every group ends with its median recipe in grams and the real recipes nearest it.
The questions
Question 1
More onions than most, or fewer?
An onion or a few shallots in the curry; recipes with a homemade paste count its shallots as paste.
All 95 recipes: median 52 g per can of coconut milk; middle half 0 g to 109 g; 32% use none.
Question 2
More meat, fish or tofu than most, or less?
Beef, chicken or lamb braised in the sauce, bone and all, or tofu in a vegan version. The slow-cooked beef recipes use the most.
All 95 recipes: median 355 g per can of coconut milk; middle half 39 g to 586 g; 25% use none.
Asked within each answer to question 1, split at the median of the recipes that gave it.
Question 3
More peanuts than most, or fewer?
Roasted peanuts or peanut butter cooked into the curry. Peanuts scattered on top count as a garnish.
All 95 recipes: median 24 g per can of coconut milk; middle half 0 g to 39 g; 35% use none.
Asked within each answer to question 2, split at the median of the recipes that gave it.
The key
Read left to right: pick an answer to question 1, then one of the answers beside it for question 2, and so on to a group. Each cell gives the answer, its bound in grams per can of coconut milk, and how many recipes give it.
| 1. Onions | 2. Meat, fish or tofu | 3. Peanuts | Group |
|---|---|---|---|
| Moreover 52 g47 | Moreover 444 g21 | Moreover 32 g10 | A10 |
| Little or none32 g or less11 | B11 | ||
| Less444 g or less26 | Moreover 26 g13 | C13 | |
| Little or none26 g or less13 | D13 | ||
| Little or none52 g or less48 | Moreover 306 g24 | Moreover 17 g12 | E12 |
| Little or none17 g or less12 | F12 | ||
| Little or none306 g or less24 | Moreover 6.1 g12 | G12 | |
| Little or none6.1 g or less12 | H12 |
The 8 groups
Each median recipe is the median of every ingredient over the group's recipes, scaled to 400 g, 1 can, beside the typical pot of all 95. Bold rows are the ingredients the questions asked about.
Group A · 10 recipes · 10% of all
More onions, more meat, fish or tofu and more peanuts
Onions over 52 g, meat, fish or tofu over 444 g and peanuts over 32 g per can of coconut milk.
| At 1 can | Group A | All |
|---|---|---|
| Coconut milk | 400 g | 400 g |
| Curry paste | 90 gabout 1/3 cup | 48 g |
| Meat, fish or tofu | 850 g | 355 g |
| Potatoes | 485 gabout 2 1/2 medium potatoes | 315 g |
| Onions | 100 gabout 1 medium onion | 50 g |
| Peanuts | 75 gabout 1/2 cup | 24 g |
| Fish or soy sauce | 28 gabout 1 1/2 tbsp | 18 g |
| Tamarind or lime | 16 gabout 1 tbsp | 14 g |
| Sugar | 8 gabout 2 tsp | 8 g |
Nearest the middle of group A
Closest to the group's median on every ingredient at once.
- Thai Massaman Curry Recipe · ministryofcurry.comonions 183 g · meat, fish or tofu 1134 g · peanuts 53 g
- Curry massaman de bœuf · saveurs-magazine.fronions 54 g · meat, fish or tofu 592 g · peanuts 74 g
- Beef massaman curry (slow cooker) · carolinescooking.comonions 161 g · meat, fish or tofu 1103 g · peanuts 35 g
- Slow cooker massaman beef curry · thai-foodie.comonions 70 g · meat, fish or tofu 1361 g · peanuts 73 g
- Massaman-Curry · gutekueche.atonions 59 g · meat, fish or tofu 493 g · peanuts 125 g
Group B · 11 recipes · 11% of all
More onions, more meat, fish or tofu and little or no peanuts
Onions over 52 g, meat, fish or tofu over 444 g and peanuts 32 g or less per can of coconut milk. 6 of the 11 use no peanuts.
| At 1 can | Group B | All |
|---|---|---|
| Coconut milk | 400 g | 400 g |
| Curry paste | 49 gabout 3 tbsp | 48 g |
| Meat, fish or tofu | 720 g | 355 g |
| Potatoes | 500 gabout 2 1/2 medium potatoes | 315 g |
| Onions | 110 gabout 1 medium onion | 50 g |
| Peanuts | none | 24 g |
| Fish or soy sauce | 9 gabout 1 1/2 tsp | 18 g |
| Tamarind or lime | 11 gabout 2 tsp | 14 g |
| Sugar | 9 gabout 2 1/4 tsp | 8 g |
Nearest the middle of group B
Closest to the group's median on every ingredient at once.
- Instant Pot Chicken Massaman Curry · ministryofcurry.comonions 110 g · meat, fish or tofu 680 g · peanuts 32 g
- Lamb Massaman Curry · mythaicurry.comonions 109 g · meat, fish or tofu 1183 g · peanuts 0.6 g
- Massaman-Curry mit Rind · kuechengoetter.deonions 220 g · meat, fish or tofu 500 g · peanuts 0 g
- Repas thailandais : massaman de poulet · ptitchef.comonions 110 g · meat, fish or tofu 720 g · peanuts 27 g
- Massaman curry · 15gram.beonions 217 g · meat, fish or tofu 493 g · peanuts 0 g
Group C · 13 recipes · 13% of all
More onions, less meat, fish or tofu and more peanuts
Onions over 52 g, meat, fish or tofu 444 g or less and peanuts over 26 g per can of coconut milk. 2 of the 13 use no meat, fish or tofu.
| At 1 can | Group C | All |
|---|---|---|
| Coconut milk | 400 g | 400 g |
| Curry paste | 47 gabout 3 tbsp | 48 g |
| Meat, fish or tofu | 355 g | 355 g |
| Potatoes | 355 gabout 1 1/2 medium potatoes | 315 g |
| Onions | 110 gabout 1 medium onion | 50 g |
| Peanuts | 49 gabout 1/3 cup | 24 g |
| Fish or soy sauce | 18 gabout 1 tbsp | 18 g |
| Tamarind or lime | 18 gabout 1 tbsp | 14 g |
| Sugar | 7 gabout 1 2/3 tsp | 8 g |
Nearest the middle of group C
Closest to the group's median on every ingredient at once.
- Vegan Tofu Massaman Curry · vegancocotte.comonions 109 g · meat, fish or tofu 222 g · peanuts 49 g
- Chicken Massaman Curry · favfamilyrecipes.comonions 55 g · meat, fish or tofu 227 g · peanuts 41 g
- Massaman Curry · delish.comonions 58 g · meat, fish or tofu 356 g · peanuts 76 g
- Shortcut Chicken Massaman Curry · foodnetwork.comonions 73 g · meat, fish or tofu 356 g · peanuts 38 g
- Massaman Curry Recipe · chilipeppermadness.comonions 92 g · meat, fish or tofu 378 g · peanuts 30 g
Group D · 13 recipes · 13% of all
More onions, less meat, fish or tofu and little or no peanuts
Onions over 52 g, meat, fish or tofu 444 g or less and peanuts 26 g or less per can of coconut milk. 7 of the 13 use no meat, fish or tofu. 7 of the 13 use no peanuts.
| At 1 can | Group D | All |
|---|---|---|
| Coconut milk | 400 g | 400 g |
| Curry paste | 32 gabout 2 tbsp | 48 g |
| Meat, fish or tofu | none | 355 g |
| Potatoes | 355 gabout 1 1/2 medium potatoes | 315 g |
| Onions | 105 gabout 1 medium onion | 50 g |
| Peanuts | none | 24 g |
| Fish or soy sauce | none | 18 g |
| Tamarind or lime | 11 gabout 2 tsp | 14 g |
| Sugar | 6 gabout 1 1/2 tsp | 8 g |
Nearest the middle of group D
Closest to the group's median on every ingredient at once.
- Vegan Massaman Curry with Chickpeas · urbanfarmie.comonions 99 g · meat, fish or tofu 0 g · peanuts 0 g
- Curry de boeuf Massaman et pommes de terre · kissmychef.comonions 150 g · meat, fish or tofu 0 g · peanuts 0 g
- Massaman-Curry (Gäng Massaman) · kuechengoetter.deonions 87 g · meat, fish or tofu 197 g · peanuts 0 g
- Massaman huehnchen curry · ichkoche.atonions 60 g · meat, fish or tofu 306 g · peanuts 12 g
- thaise massaman curry met aardappel, bloemkool en ei · deliciousmagazine.nlonions 217 g · meat, fish or tofu 0 g · peanuts 0 g
Group E · 12 recipes · 12% of all
Little or no onions, more meat, fish or tofu and more peanuts
Onions 52 g or less, meat, fish or tofu over 306 g and peanuts over 17 g per can of coconut milk. 8 of the 12 use no onions.
| At 1 can | Group E | All |
|---|---|---|
| Coconut milk | 400 g | 400 g |
| Curry paste | 60 gabout 1/4 cup | 48 g |
| Meat, fish or tofu | 465 g | 355 g |
| Potatoes | 200 gabout 1 medium potato | 315 g |
| Onions | none | 50 g |
| Peanuts | 35 gabout 1/4 cup | 24 g |
| Fish or soy sauce | 28 gabout 1 1/2 tbsp | 18 g |
| Tamarind or lime | 16 gabout 1 tbsp | 14 g |
| Sugar | 12 gabout 1 tbsp | 8 g |
Nearest the middle of group E
Closest to the group's median on every ingredient at once.
- Easy Beef Massaman Curry · beyondkimchee.comonions 0 g · meat, fish or tofu 455 g · peanuts 35 g
- Thaise massaman curry · ohmyfoodness.nlonions 0 g · meat, fish or tofu 316 g · peanuts 39 g
- Vegetarische Massaman Curry · ohmyfoodness.nlonions 0 g · meat, fish or tofu 394 g · peanuts 67 g
- Authentic Thai Beef Massaman Curry · hot-thai-kitchen.comonions 37 g · meat, fish or tofu 605 g · peanuts 24 g
- Massaman curry met kip · 15gram.beonions 0 g · meat, fish or tofu 568 g · peanuts 47 g
Group F · 12 recipes · 12% of all
Little or no onions, more meat, fish or tofu and little or no peanuts
Onions 52 g or less, meat, fish or tofu over 306 g and peanuts 17 g or less per can of coconut milk. 6 of the 12 use no onions. 11 of the 12 use no peanuts.
| At 1 can | Group F | All |
|---|---|---|
| Coconut milk | 400 g | 400 g |
| Curry paste | 55 gabout 3 1/2 tbsp | 48 g |
| Meat, fish or tofu | 570 g | 355 g |
| Potatoes | 330 gabout 1 1/2 medium potatoes | 315 g |
| Onions | 5 g | 50 g |
| Peanuts | none | 24 g |
| Fish or soy sauce | 18 gabout 1 tbsp | 18 g |
| Tamarind or lime | none | 14 g |
| Sugar | 7 gabout 1 2/3 tsp | 8 g |
Nearest the middle of group F
Closest to the group's median on every ingredient at once.
- Massaman Curry Thai · feastingathome.comonions 10 g · meat, fish or tofu 340 g · peanuts 9 g
- Chicken Massaman Curry · ihearteating.comonions 35 g · meat, fish or tofu 320 g · peanuts 0 g
- Massaman curry met kip, bloemkool en een eitje · 15gram.beonions 0 g · meat, fish or tofu 710 g · peanuts 0 g
- Chicken Massaman Curry · thehomecookskitchen.comonions 0 g · meat, fish or tofu 504 g · peanuts 0 g
- Curry massaman au poulet · bettybossi.chonions 16 g · meat, fish or tofu 316 g · peanuts 0 g
Group G · 12 recipes · 12% of all
Little or no onions, little or no meat, fish or tofu and more peanuts
Onions 52 g or less, meat, fish or tofu 306 g or less and peanuts over 6.1 g per can of coconut milk. 9 of the 12 use no onions. 6 of the 12 use no meat, fish or tofu.
| At 1 can | Group G | All |
|---|---|---|
| Coconut milk | 400 g | 400 g |
| Curry paste | 12 gabout 2 1/4 tsp | 48 g |
| Meat, fish or tofu | 39 g | 355 g |
| Potatoes | 215 gabout 1 medium potato | 315 g |
| Onions | none | 50 g |
| Peanuts | 30 gabout 3 1/2 tbsp | 24 g |
| Fish or soy sauce | 14 gabout 2 1/3 tsp | 18 g |
| Tamarind or lime | 12 gabout 2 1/4 tsp | 14 g |
| Sugar | 12 gabout 1 tbsp | 8 g |
Nearest the middle of group G
Closest to the group's median on every ingredient at once.
- Massaman curry met rundsvlees en zoete aardappel · 15gram.beonions 0 g · meat, fish or tofu 0 g · peanuts 30 g
- Suedliches massaman curry mit rindfleisch geng massaman neua · ichkoche.atonions 0 g · meat, fish or tofu 79 g · peanuts 39 g
- Lamb Massaman Curry Recipe | Mild Lamb Curry · thehappyfoodie.co.ukonions 40 g · meat, fish or tofu 250 g · peanuts 14 g
- Massaman curry · leukerecepten.nlonions 0 g · meat, fish or tofu 256 g · peanuts 7.6 g
- Massaman Curry Recipe · shugarysweets.comonions 0 g · meat, fish or tofu 227 g · peanuts 18 g
Group H · 12 recipes · 12% of all
Little or no onions, little or no meat, fish or tofu and little or no peanuts
Onions 52 g or less, meat, fish or tofu 306 g or less and peanuts 6.1 g or less per can of coconut milk. 8 of the 12 use no onions. 9 of the 12 use no meat, fish or tofu. 10 of the 12 use no peanuts.
| At 1 can | Group H | All |
|---|---|---|
| Coconut milk | 400 g | 400 g |
| Curry paste | 36 gabout 2 1/2 tbsp | 48 g |
| Meat, fish or tofu | none | 355 g |
| Potatoes | 225 gabout 1 medium potato | 315 g |
| Onions | none | 50 g |
| Peanuts | none | 24 g |
| Fish or soy sauce | 3 gabout 1/2 tsp | 18 g |
| Tamarind or lime | none | 14 g |
| Sugar | 3 gabout 3/4 tsp | 8 g |
Nearest the middle of group H
Closest to the group's median on every ingredient at once.
- Massaman curry med kyckling · linasmatkasse.seonions 0 g · meat, fish or tofu 0 g · peanuts 0 g
- Massaman curry med kyckling, potatis och jordnötter · kikkoman.seonions 0 g · meat, fish or tofu 0 g · peanuts 0 g
- Massaman curry med hakket kylling · retnemt.dkonions 0 g · meat, fish or tofu 0 g · peanuts 0.6 g
- Boulettes Végétales au Curry Massaman · cuisine.journaldesfemmes.fronions 0 g · meat, fish or tofu 0 g · peanuts 0 g
- Massaman curry met zoete aardappel · uitpaulineskeuken.nlonions 0 g · meat, fish or tofu 247 g · peanuts 0 g
How the questions are chosen
Each ingredient is ranked by how much recipes disagree on it: the width of the middle half of recipes (25th to 75th percentile) divided by the median, less 4% for each place it sits down this lab's list of ingredients, so the ones that define the dish win near ties. For massaman curry the order is onions (2.11), meat, fish or tofu (1.54), peanuts (1.63), fish or soy sauce (1.63), sugar (1.79), tamarind or lime (1.67), curry paste (0.89) and potatoes (0.84), and the first 3 are asked.
Every split is at the median of the recipes in front of it, rounded to the amount shown. Recipes exactly at the median go to whichever side leaves the two halves more even. No answer may keep fewer than 5 recipes; a group that could not be split further says so.
The recipes listed under each group are the 5 nearest its median on every ingredient at once, each scaled by how much recipes vary on it. Every recipe page links to the original for the method.