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 ideas – four 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 Indian curry and Durban curry? ›

Indian curries are usually coloured yellow with turmeric, while Durban curries, which are hotter, are coloured red with tomatoes, chillies and cayenne pepper. Expert curry makers from Durban boast that a typical Durban Masala curry powder has about 12 different ingredients in the blend.

What is African curry made of? ›

This is a recipe that's going to make curry lovers extremely happy because it tastes like a legit Indian curry but it's much easier to make. No hunting down unusual spices! Just regular pantry ones – cumin, coriander, turmeric, chilli – combined with ginger, garlic, coconut milk and canned tomato.

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.

How to cook rice in South Africa? ›

Place rice, water and salt in a pot and bring to the boil over medium heat. Cover pot with a tight fitting lid, reduce heat and simmer for 15 - 20 minutes, or until water has been absorbed. Remove from heat and remove lid. Cover pot with a clean kitchen towel, replace lid and allow to stand for 15 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 is the national dish of Africa? ›

South African Bobotie is the beloved national dish. It is pronounced ba-boor-tea. A true comfort food always served with yellow rice called geelrys.

What is the red stuff that comes with curry? ›

If you were to find yourself at a Japanese curry shop, your order would likely come adorned with a side of f*ckujinzuke. When mixed into the curry, these ruby shards add a welcome sweet, pungent spark to the dish's buttery texture and warming spices.

What food is South Africa known for? ›

Traditional South African Dishes
  • Bobotie. Considered by many to be the South African national dish, Bobotie (pronounced ba-bo-tea) is a meat-based dish and one of the most well-known examples of Cape Malay cuisine. ...
  • Boerewors. ...
  • Biltong. ...
  • Vetkoek. ...
  • Potjiekos. ...
  • Chakalaka and pap. ...
  • Durban bunny chow. ...
  • Malva pudding.
Jan 4, 2023

Is curry powder just turmeric? ›

Curry powders are made with a variety of bright yellow spices including, turmeric, coriander, cumin, chili pepper, and curry leaves.

Why do Jamaicans make curry? ›

In the 17 century curry and other spices were brought to Jamaica by Eastern Indians. Curry powder is made from ground turmeric, coriander seeds, cayenne, ground ginger, and many other spices. This food is important because in Jamaica we like very bold flavors in our food.

What makes Durban curry different? ›

In Durban oil is used, with a lot of chilli, cumin and coriander and the vibrant colour comes from a lot of tomatoes. The local enthusiastic addition of potatoes is apparently another unique attribute as is the treatment of the spices – adding it early in the cooking process.

Is Jamaican curry the same as Indian curry? ›

The greatest difference between the two spice mixes comes into play when examining heat levels. Indian curry powders tend to have more chile powder in them while Jamaican curry powder. Some commercial versions may have a bit of cayenne pepper in them, but most recipes usually omit that spice.

What does Durban curry taste like? ›

A Durban curry incorporates several key ingredients that impart its unique flavor profile. These include hot and spicy red chilli powder, to give its characteristic red color, masala and jam tomatoes and sweet spices like cinnamon, cardamom, or cloves.

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.

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