Bo-Kaap Cape Malay Curry Powder – South African Spice Mixture

My take on Cape Malay curry powder; I devised this when I finally finished my precious box of this type of curry powder, that had been sent to me in a Herbs and Spices swap by Zurie! I checked the ingredients list and finally after a little trial and error, I came up with this, and it is a pretty close match! Influenced by Malay cuisine, Cape/Malay curry powder/masala is a blend of sweet and pungent spices to include cloves, cardamon, fennel, mustard, coriander, turmeric, fenugreek, a little chilli and black pepper. A curry powder/masala of a mild heat yet full of the flavours you expect in Indian curry. This curry spice mix is wonderful in all types of curries, but especially authentic Cape Malay style cuisine, and of course curries.

Red Curry Paste

I like to make my own curry paste. This way I know that the compliments I get for my curries are entirely up to myself. The good thing is that the paste keeps for a couple of weeks in the fridge and can be frozen. The paste makes wonderful presents too. I give them away together with coconut milk, some kaffir lime leaves (I have my own plant), and some ideas how to use it. I also tell them that they can wrap whatever they won’t use in tin foil and freeze. The recipe comes from Madhur Jaffrey’s Curry Bible, a wonderful book. You will find coriander with roots in Asian stores, but don’t worry if you can’t find the roots, Madhur Jaffrey writes that you can use a small handful of the leaves instead. However, your paste then won’t be as red as when using the roots. This paste is enough for two dishes of pork, beef, chicken, prawns, squid, fish, crabs, lobster meat or hard-boiled eggs.

Femmes’ Revenge Caribbean Curry Mix

A delicious blend which truly captures the flavors of the islands. It is great on fish, chicken and also on fruit. Mix in oil for a curry paste or use as a dry rub. If you want it hotter, use more cayenne. We like it a little heavy on the cinnamon and cloves.

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