Beef Massaman Curry

I got the reputation for being cooking-obsessed while in my third year of undergrad. A classmate of mine decided that I must therefore be known as a Spice Girl. 

She asked me what spice name I should have and I suddenly felt put on the spot. “Allspice?” I offered. I got a blank stare in response. I don’t blame her for that reaction – I don’t think I’ve ever even cooked with the stuff! Instead she chose to call me ‘Mel D’ and has done so ever since.