South African Curry and Rice - aninas recipes (2024)

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South African Curry and Rice

Anina July 6, 2015 beef, curry, dinner 45 Comments

A comforting, old school South African Curry and Rice recipe! Most definitely the ultimate South African comfort food.The sort of Curry and Rice you would find at the local church bazaar, vessels filled to the rim, topped with fruity Chutney and a tablespoon of coconut. Spread out on tiny tables and accompanied by old smiling ladies with shiny cheeks and dirty aprons.

South African Curry and Rice

Other than at church bazaars and school markets, this South African Curry and Rice is the perfect warming meal to cook when those first blue clouds come tumbling over the African horizon. Then the storm moves like angry boulders and the blistering wind comes rushing through the windows. The wind carries one thing – that unmistakable cent of RAIN. And in an instant, you know, Curry and Rice for dinner!

Back in the day, when the heavens used to open up, a thunderstorm always summoned my mom and gran to the kitchen to deliver (in what feels like minutes) delicious rainy day comfort foods.

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The ever popular (pannekoek) pancakes with cinnamon sugar or the mouthwatering “melkkos” with heaps of sugar and butter – I have managed to attach a sort of special memory onto these dishes. A highveld storm…

What Ingredients do you need for South African Curry and Rice

Luckily you don’t have to look for any weather updates, nor do you have to be a local to enjoy this delicious meal. Let’s get to the good stuff…

This version of South African Curry and Rice consists of slow cooked, minced beef in a sweet and spicy curry sauce. Beef mince is such a versatile protein. Here is a little roundup I did a while ago for more ideasfour ways with Beef Mince.

The curry sauce is a simple combination of curry spice (I used Raj sweet and spicy) turmeric, sugar, vinegar, tomato sauce and fruit chutney (Mrs Balls is the best.)

Furthermore, this recipe also has finely chopped carrot and cubes of potatoes cooked to perfection.

It’s usually served with rice, extra chutney, desiccated coconut and sliced bananas.

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How To Make South African Curry and Rice

Start off bysautéing the onion with the garlic until fragrant. Next add the mince and work it through with a wooden spoon to brown.

Add a cup of water and cook the meat for about 10 minutes with the lid on. Remember to check it every now and then, and give it a good stir to cook evenly.

Once the meat is brown, add another cup or so of water. This is when you add the carrots and potatoes. It needs to cook in the water you added to the pot, so just check that there is enough liquid. Lid on, and cook for about 10 – 15 minutes until the potatoes and carrots feel soft. Don’t let it cook too dry, so just add a touch more water if you need.

In the meantime you can prepare your sauce by combining the tomato sauce, vinegar, sugar, curry powder, turmeric, flour, salt and chutney. Give it a good mix. Pour it into the cooked mince and mix. The flour will cook in the bit of liquid left in the pot and will thicken the sauce. Lastly lower the the heat, and leave to simmer for about 15 minutes.

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Can you freeze Curry and Rice?

Yes, you can most definitely freeze this Curry and Rice. A great idea is to double up this recipe and make it in bulk for a speedy dinner. The curry mince freezes perfectly for up to two months and great to use in a number of ways. You can also freeze your portions by adding your cooked rice at the bottom of the container, topped with curry mince. Simply remove the desired portions in the morning to thaw, and reheat in the microwave.

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Print Recipe

South African Curry and Rice

South African Curry and Rice, the perfect comfort food that consists of slow cooked beef mince in a sweet and spicy curry sauce, with perfectly cooked carrots and potatoes, served on rice.

South African Curry and Rice - aninas recipes (10)

Votes: 38
Rating: 4.32
You:

Rate this recipe!

Course Main Dish
Cuisine South African
Prep Time 5 min
Cook Time 30 min
Servings

servings

Ingredients

  • 1 kg beef mince
  • 2 onions peeled and finely chopped
  • 2 teaspoons crushed garlic
  • 15 ml olive oil
  • 2 cups water
  • 4 large carrots peeled and chopped fine
  • 3 potatoes peeled and finely cubed
  • 20 ml tomato sauce
  • 20 ml white vinegar
  • 30 ml brown sugar
  • 9 teaspoons curry powder
  • 1 teaspoon ground turmeric
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons flour
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 2 cups fruit chutney or one cup, if you want it less saucy
  • sprigs fresh rosemary chopped
Course Main Dish
Cuisine South African
Prep Time 5 min
Cook Time 30 min
Servings

servings

Ingredients

  • 1 kg beef mince
  • 2 onions peeled and finely chopped
  • 2 teaspoons crushed garlic
  • 15 ml olive oil
  • 2 cups water
  • 4 large carrots peeled and chopped fine
  • 3 potatoes peeled and finely cubed
  • 20 ml tomato sauce
  • 20 ml white vinegar
  • 30 ml brown sugar
  • 9 teaspoons curry powder
  • 1 teaspoon ground turmeric
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons flour
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 2 cups fruit chutney or one cup, if you want it less saucy
  • sprigs fresh rosemary chopped

South African Curry and Rice - aninas recipes (11)

Votes: 38
Rating: 4.32
You:

Rate this recipe!

Instructions

  1. Heat the oil in a large pan and sauté the onion with the garlic.

  2. Add the mince to pot, brown and add a cup full of water.

  3. Cook the meat for about 10 minutes with the lid on, every now and then giving it a mix and making sure the meat has a little water on it. Don’t let the meat cook dry.

  4. Add the potatoes and carrots, add more water if needed, and cook for another 10 minutes with the lid on, until the potatoes and carrots feel soft.

  5. In a mixing bowl combine the tomato sauce, vinegar, sugar, curry powder, turmeric, flour, salt and chutney. Give it a good mix.

  6. Add the sauce to the mince and mix through. Add the rosemary, Lower heat and let it simmer for about 10 - 15 minutes.

  7. Serve with fluffy basmati rice, chutney, coconut and sliced bananas.

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About The Author

South African Curry and Rice - aninas recipes (15)

anina

Food blogger, Recipe Developer, Food Stylist and Photographer currently living the slow life in Cape Town, South Africa. I love to share easy and delicious recipes the whole family would enjoy.

South African Curry and Rice - aninas recipes (2024)

FAQs

What is the difference between Durban curry and Cape Malay curry? ›

Durban curries tend to be spicier with an emphasis on curry powders and tomatoes, while Cape Malay curries are milder and favour spices such as cardamom and cinnamon.

What is Durban curry made of? ›

One example of a Durban masala blend includes the following spices: Mild chili powder (6 teaspoons): Provides the characteristic heat and red color. Hot pepper powder, such as cayenne (1 teaspoon): Enhances the heat of the blend. Ground coriander (1 teaspoon): Offers a sweet, floral note.

What is South African curry powder? ›

South African Curry Powder has sharp, earthy flavours of cumin, fennel and turmeric, accompanied with zesty, sweet flavours of coriander seeds, cardamom and cinnamon.

Can you put rice in curry? ›

Directions. Stir the rice, water, and curry powder together in a rice cooker; cook for 1 full cycle or until all the water is absorbed, 15 to 20 minutes.

Which is the tastiest curry in the world? ›

No surprise then that the TasteAtlas guide has listed the 10 best curries in the world.
  • 01 ⸻ 10. Panang curry. (c) shutterstock.
  • 02 ⸻ 10. Malai kofta. (c) shutterstock.
  • 03 ⸻ 10. Japanese karī (c) shutterstock.
  • 04 ⸻ 10. Khao Soy soup. ...
  • 05 ⸻ 10. Shahi paneer. ...
  • 06 ⸻ 10. Butter chicken. ...
  • 07 ⸻ 10. Green curry. ...
  • 08 ⸻ 10. Massaman curry.
May 24, 2023

What are the three types of curry? ›

There are three main types of Thai curries—red, yellow, and green—which are categorized by the color of the curry paste. The color of the chilies and other ingredients gives each curry its distinct hue. Traditionally, all Thai curries were made with the same ingredients except for one thing: the chilies.

What are the black balls in curry? ›

Mustard seeds

Mustard seeds can be yellow, black, or brown and are used interchangeably in Indian cooking. The flavor of mustard seeds is released when they are crushed or cooked in oil. Their smoky, nutty flavor is a staple in curries and curry powders, and mustard oil is commonly used in the North of India.

What is the black herb in curry? ›

Cardamom (Green and Black)

Both green cardamom and black cardamom (known as badi elaichi) are used in curries, kormas, biryanis and garam masala.

Is curry paste or powder better? ›

Curry powder is a dry ingredient that must be activated with a liquid or oil. It does not include fresh chilies, so it will be much less spicy than a curry paste. Curry paste is ideal for Thai-style curries. Dry curry powder is better for Indian-style dishes.

Which rice is better for curry? ›

Ideally, the best rice for soaking up all of that curry goodness are long grain and aromatic varieties that cook up fluffy and separate such as jasmine and basmati or traditional long grain white rice.

Is eating curry and rice healthy? ›

Made up of meat and vegetables in a spiced sauce, usually accompanied by rice, curry can potentially claim 'good for you' status. The vegetables contain lots of minerals and nutrients, and turmeric – the main spice in most curry powders – has anti-inflammatory effects.

What goes with curry instead of rice? ›

Our favourite side dishes for curry
  • Flatbreads. If you love to mop up curry sauce with a pillowy naan, we have recipes that'll you'll want to try. ...
  • Bhajis and pakoras. ...
  • Indian street food snacks. ...
  • Rice. ...
  • Dhal. ...
  • Potatoes. ...
  • Greens. ...
  • Samosas.

What is Cape Malay curry made of? ›

Cape Malay curry is known for combining sweet and savory flavors--using sweet spices like cinnamon and ginger, dried fruit (especially dried apricots), and savory seasonings like garlic and onions. Though usually served with rice, this beef stew is also great over mashed potatoes or egg noodles.

How is Malaysian curry different from Indian curry? ›

The Malay is a fine powder consistency, while the Madras has a coarser texture where you can see the curry leaves. The Madras has a gentle warm heat with really nice notes of ginger and coriander; while the Malay has almost a smokey flavor due to the clove & galangal working together.

What are the three types of Thai curry? ›

In general, Thai yellow curry is the mildest, Thai red curry is medium-hot and Thai green curry is spicy, although it can sometimes vary depending on what region of Thailand you are in.

How hot is Durban curry? ›

The Spice Spectrum of Durban Curry

On the Scoville scale, which measures the pungency or heat of chili peppers, these ingredients can rank anywhere from 30,000 to 50,000 Scoville Heat Units (SHU). This intensity puts Durban curry on the higher end of the spice spectrum, comparable to a moderately hot habanero pepper.

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