A Durban-style fish curry evokes memories of my childhood in Kwa-Zulu Natal and my grandmother preparing freshly-caught fish in masala pastes to fry or red-hued, gently simmered fish curries over the weekends to enjoy with the family at the table.
On South Africa’s palm tree-lined east coast, within the humid port city of Durban and its surrounds, a unique style of Indian cuisine has evolved over the course of 158 years. Locals say you can’t leave before you try one of the Durban curries: smouldering hot mutton curry studded with potato chunks called “gravy soakers,” fiery fish curry spiked with black tamarind and curry leaves; or bunny chow, a hollowed-out quarter-loaf of white bread filled with curry.
They say there’s nothing like the smell of bacon frying in the morning. That’s true, in part. After all we were also accustomed to the grand British fry-up thanks to our colonial past.
Bunny Chow - one of Durban's best Indian food snacks and the history of the name
The Interesting Journey of Curry - how curry travelled the world Durban style crab and prawn curries For Sunday Times Extra, Sunday 14 June 2014 What constitutes an authentic curry? Every accomplished cook would like to believe that the curries, biryanis and soups served at home, recipes passed down from great-grandmothers or from [...]
Luffa and Shrimp curry - Chinese okra This recipe forms part of a series prepared for Pick n Pay Fresh Living Magazine, October 2013 issue A vegetable, and an exfoliator! My grandmothers, like yours too, if they were a part of the same generation, practicised thrift to a fault. They had to, really, with large [...]
When I was a child living in KwaZulu Natal, spicy battered deep-fried green bananas, or plantain when we could get it, was a delicacy we loved even more than fried chips. Here's a recipe for this dish served with a green chilli tamarind dipping sauce.
The trick, I think is to cook the okra for far less time than the aunties will tell you to. It can stand to hold just a little crunch. A little vinegar added will help combat the mushiness. Amchur (dried mango powder) adds a lovely tangy element, balanced with green chilli and warming cumin and coriander. It's a dry braised "curry" of sorts.
A spicy, comforting and hearty vegetable curry that's ideal to use up all the veggies in the fridge.
Roasted Nectarine & Rose Falooda recipe - an explanation of what Falooda is and the essential components.
