Dish of South African Lentil Curry
(click to enlarge)

Lentil Curry for Bunny


South Africa   -   Lentil Curry
Makes:
Effort:
Sched:
DoAhead:  		 2-1/4 #
***
2 hrs
Yes		 This recipe is derived from one by an Indian vegetarian restaurant in Durban that has been serving Bunny Chows for about 80 years. See also Comments.

1
12
6
2
3/4
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1
1/2
2
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1/2
1/2
1
1
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1-1/2
3
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ar
ar
cup
oz
oz
cl
in
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T
T
T

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t
t
T
t
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T
c
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Lentils (1)
Tomatoes
Onions
Garlic
Ginger Root
-- Toasted Spices
Cumin Seeds
Coriander Seeds
Mustard Seeds
Chilis, dry (2)
-- Powders
Turmeric
Chili Flake (3)
Garam Masala (4)  
Salt
-- Finish
Oil
Water or Broth
-- Garnish
Cilantro
Onion, Red
PREP   -   (35 min)
  1. Scald TOMATOES one minute in boiling water. Quench in cold water and peel. Cut into 1/2 inch dice.
  2. Chop ONIONS fine.
  3. Crush GARLIC and chop small. Slice GINGER very thin. Cut slices into threads and chop threads fine. Mix.
  4. Separately dry pan toast Toasted Spices items until fragrant and darkened no more than a shade. Toast Chilis until browned in spots but not blackened. Mix and let cool, then grind fine in your spice grinder.
  5. Mix Powders into the Toasted Spices.
  6. Chop CILANTRO coarse and RED ONION small for Garnish. Use the same garnish for serving plain or for Bunny.
RUN   -   (1-1/4 hr)
  1. In a spacious sauté pan, heat OIL. Stir in Onions, Fry stirring until Onions are translucent.
  2. Stir in Garlic Mix and fry stirring for another minute.
  3. Stir in Spices Mix and fry stirring for another minute.
  4. Stir in Tomatoes and fry stirring for a few minutes until softened.
  5. Stir in Lentils, then Water or Broth. Bring to a boil, cover and simmer until Lentils are tender, about 45 minutes to an hour.
  6. Check liquid. For Bunny you want more liquid than shown in the photo, so it soaks into the bread.
  7. Use as Bunny Chow filling, or serve with Roti or Rice.
NOTES:

  1. Lentils:

      The pattern recipe called for Brown Lentils. The photo example was made with smaller Green Lentils, which hold their shape more than the brown ones, which may not be ideal for Bunny filling.

  2. Chilis, Dried:

      The standard Japones will work fine and won't make the curry too hot.

  3. Chili Flake:

      Here is where you really control the chili hotness, by what flake or powder you use and how much. I use Indian Khandella or Reshampati, which gives the curry quite noticeable heat. Use your own best judgement here. For details, see our Chili Powder & Flake page.

  4. Garam Masala:

      This is a "standard" spice mix, but varies a lot from region to region, and some from one household to another within the regions. Here is a recipe for a typical Garam Masala mix for the cuisines of northern India.

  5. Comments:

      The Indian community in South Africa has used vegetarian Bean and Lentil Curries to fill Bunny Chow loaves since their origin, about 1940. Meat curries are now very common and the those with bean or lentil curry are now called "Beans Bunny". This curry will also work just fine with roti or rice.
  6. U.S. measure: t=teaspoon, T=Tablespoon, c=cup, qt=quart, oz=ounce, #=pound, cl=clove in=inch, ar=as required tt=to taste
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