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:

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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 maize rice in Afrikaans? ›

Maize rice (or mielie rys in Afrikaans literally translates to riced corn) is made from the kernels of a specific type of white corn.

What to eat curry with besides rice? ›

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

What is Durban curry made of? ›

You will often find the use of garam masala in Durban curries is very popular. But the real sweet spices you are trying to get at are either cinnamon, cardamom or cloves, or a combination of all three spices.

Is Jamaican curry spicier than Indian curry? ›

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. So Jamaican curry powder is more mild in that way.

Which is healthier rice or maize? ›

Rice is higher in calories and carbohydrates, such as sugars and starch. Corn is richer in dietary fiber and vitamins. Rice has higher glycemic and insulin index values.

Is mealie rice healthy? ›

South African mielie meal is fortified with valuable micronutrients: 1) Iron – helps prevents iron deficiency anaemia. 2) Vitamin A – helps maintain the health of eyes, mouth, gut and lungs as well as fighting infections. 3) B vitamins – help to regulate metabolism and release energy.

What is corn called in South Africa? ›

In 2021/22, South Africa was the ninth largest producer of maize (also known as “mielies” and corn) in the world, and the largest maize producer in Africa. The country produces around 14 million tonnes of maize per year, of which around 12 million tonnes are white maize and 2 million tonnes are yellow maize.

Can diabetics eat curry and rice? ›

Go for tandoori and tikka options as these are baked and lower in fat. Dhal is rich in fibre because of the lentils and pulses, but can still be quite oily. Try sharing a portion. Choose boiled or steamed rice rather than pilau or fried rice.

What vegetables go in curry? ›

The curry base is made with onions, tomatoes, ginger, garlic, red chilli powder and garam masala. I prefer to go with potatoes, carrots, peas, green beans, cauliflower, corn and bell peppers. Though you can use other veggies like baby corn, sweet potato and broccoli, the curry will have different flavors.

What are the spices in South African curry? ›

Chilli, Turmeric, Coriander, Cumin, Paprika, Cayenne, Cardamom, Cinnamon, Ginger, Fenugreek, Cloves, Fennel. Comes in 25g Pouch, providing 2 people around 3 servings, approximately 6 individual servings.

What is the oldest curry in the world? ›

Discover the 4000-year-old Baigan Curry, a historical dish from the Harappan civilization, featuring aubergine, ginger, turmeric. Kunal Kapur's video sheds light on this ancient culinary delight, sparking interest in its preparation and ingredients.

Why is it called Devil Curry? ›

The similarity of the words debal and devil, probably paired with spiciness of the dish, lead to it being adopted into the English language as "Devil curry". The term "deviled", in reference to food is often used with spicy or zesty food, including foods prepared with mustard as an ingredient.

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.

What does Durban curry taste like? ›

The Spice Spectrum of Durban Curry

The primary spice culprits in Durban curry are red and green chillies, coupled with generous amounts of curry powder. 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).

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.

Where is Durban curry from? ›

This delicious curry has its origins in the Indian community in Durban, South Africa – so you know it's going to be good! You can make Werner's Durban Curry with chicken, beef, lamb, mutton, fish or vegetables – or even tofu for a vegetarian option.

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