Burmese Pork Curry

In Thai, this dish is called Gaeng Hungleh, and it's also called "Chiang Mai Pork Curry", this dish is a specialty of northern Thailand. It originated in the foods that the Burmese bought with them when they occupied the Lanna kingdom, which had its capital in Chiang Mai, from the sixteenth to the eighteenth century. Unlike most Thai curries, it uses only the tiniest bit of coconut milk, and some versions of the recipe use none at all.

There are indeed a great many versions of this dish, since the Burmese origins of the name imply an improvised dish, put together with whatever was on hand. Pork is always the meat used in Thailand, but you should be able to substitute chicken or beef with good results.

Burmese Curry

Preparation

1. Make the curry paste by pounding dried chilies, galangal, lemongrass, 1 tablespoon of minced garlic, shallots, coconut milk and salt together with a mortar and pestle to form a thick paste. Of course, you can do it the "easy way" and use a food processor.
2. Sprinkle the dark soy sauce over the cubed pork.
3. Mix in the prepared curry paste with the meat, and allow to marinate about 1 hour.
4. In a large pot, brown the pork over low heat. Add the water, cover the pot and simmer until liquid is reduced.
5. Add ginger, garlic and curry powder. Continue simmering until pork is tender and liquid is evaporated.
6. Season with the tamarind juice. The taste should be a balance of sour, salty and spicy. If necessary, add salt.