Cape Malay Chicken Curry

Ma Nourriture

Growing up in a Muslim family in Cape Town, we celebrated Eid after a month of fasting (from sunrise to sunset with no food or even water, for a whole month). Eid was a day of family, friends and feasting. I've always loved it. You get to dress up, socialise and eat. Who doesn't love that? Besides bestie, of course.

Prawn curry is one of the traditional dishes found on all "Cape Malay" tables because curry is a staple and prawns are fancy. So for our Eid celebration in the UK this year (lockdown family Zoom meeting shenanigans!) I followed tradition. Sort of.

The issue is that I struggle to follow both traditions and instructions. So I made up a version of my own. For example, coconut milk isn't usually added but I love adding a Thai twist to a prawn dish. I also love peas, so they went in too. And the end result was a taste celebration in itself.

Ingredients

Look out for: ♡ swaps we love ! potential sensitivities 🅥 vegan alternatives

292 cal/serving
Calcium, Potassium, Sodium
Vitamin A & K

Serves 4

! Garlic cloves Learn about garlic >

3

♡ Leek chopped Learn about leeks >

1/2

Rapeseed oil

for cooking Buy

Water

3.5 cups

Tinned peas

(170g) 280ml Buy

Fresh ginger cut into fine strips

10cm

Coconut milk

1 cup (241g) 250ml Buy

Fresh deshelled prawns

2 cups (600g) 500ml

Fresh lemon squeezed

2 tsp

Coriander

handful

♡ Brown rice

1 cup (201g) 250ml

Spices:

Ground cumin

Garam Masala

Ground ginger

Dried coriander powder

Turmeric powder

Stick cinnamon

Cardamon pods

1/2 tsp 2.5ml

1 tsp 5ml

1 small

2

Swapsies

! Garlic is a high FODMAP food. I don't react to it, but if you're not sure what you're reacting to, garlic and onions are well-known offenders. You can still use garlic-infused olive oil, but replace the fresh garlic with chives and/or mustard seeds.

♡ I swapped onions for leeks, which I'm less intolerant to. If you're sensitive to the whole allium family (onions, leek and garlic), skip them altogether.

♡ Try sprouted rice instead! I swapped white rice for brown, which has more nutrients and fiber. Did you know you can up the nutrients and lower the calories further just by the way you cook it? It rice takes more planning though, as it needs a few days in a jar.

Method

First:

BRAISE

Crush the garlic in a mortar & pestle.
Braise with the leek in oil in a pot on medium heat.
After 5 min, add water and simmer for another 5 min.

Then

THE COOKING

The first 8 min: The watched pot (never burns)

Add all the spices, peas and ginger. Allow to cook for 8 min.
Keep checking the water level and top up as needed so that it doesn't burn.

The next 8 min: Stir the pot (and make it juicy)

Add coconut milk and cook for 8 min stirring continously to prevent top layer of milk froth from getting brown.
Add prawns, lemon juice & coriander and let it simmer for a few more minutes.

Finally

THE RICE

Rinse rice thoroughly (2/3 times).
Bring a pot of water (2.5 cups) to the boil then add rice and lower the heat.
Add 1/2 tsp salt and turmeric and cook for 12 min.
Remove the pot from the heat and leave in the hot water for another 3 min.

Or, something different

Sprouted rice

The sprouted rice

Prep 2-3 days beforehand

Place ½ cup brown rice in a jar or if you own an actual sprouter, use that!
Fill with water, cover with a sprouting screen or mesh sprouting lid. Soak 12 hours or overnight.
Invert the jar over a bowl at 90 degrees so that the rice drains and air circulates.
After 12 hours of draining, rinse and drain again. Repeat 2 -3 times.
Tiny sprouts should begin to form in 2-3 days. At this point, sprouting is complete. Drain well.
It's now ready to cook, as above but without steaming. It can be stored covered in the fridge for 2 days.

Serve warm, garnish with fresh coriander

Biesmillah ma' lekker!

(Cape Malay: Start eating, in the name of God, eat well!)

For the love of:

GARLIC

Helps maintain blood pressure and cholesterol levels, and protects against heart disease.
Strengthens the immune system and encourages good gut bacteria.
Contains antioxidants that prevent cell damage and may have anti-ageing properties.
Protects joint cartilage from damage reducing the risk of osteoarthritis.