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

Submitted by French Tart

"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."

 

• Ready In: 7mins
• Ingredients: 12
• Yields: 1 Large Jar Curry Powder

ingredients

• 1 tablespoon clove
• 1⁄2 cup coriander seed
• 1 tablespoon fennel seed
• 1 tablespoon black mustard seeds
• 3 tablespoons fenugreek seeds
• 2 tablespoons black peppercorns
• 3 small dried hot red chilies, seeds and stems removed
• 3 tablespoons cumin seeds
• 1⁄4 cup ground cardamom
• 1⁄4 cup ground turmeric
• 1 tablespoon ground ginger
• 2 curry leaves, chopped into small pieces

directions

1. Place all the whole seeds in a frying pan and dry roast for a minute or two, until they become pungent and release their fragrance. Place them in a food processor or coffee grinder and pulse until they are finely ground - or grind them with a pestle and mortar.
2. Add the remaining ground spices, including the chillies and the curry leaves, to the roasted spices and mix well.
3. Store in an airtight jar or tin for up to 6 months, in a dry, cool and dark place.

Reviews

[Leggy Peggy]

Sensational spice mixture. I made half a batch to use in your Bo-Kaap Cape Malay Kerrie (Recipe #289231). Having enjoyed such curries in South Africa, I can vouch for the authenticity of this recipe. Absolutely perfect -- and what a wonderful smell in the kitchen. Thanks so much for sharing your creative efforts.

 

[JoyfulCook]

What a wonderful mixture of spices. I followed the recipe exactly and used my new spice grinder which made the job even easier. Nothing beats the aroma and flavour of newly ground spices. Thanks so much for posting this.

 

[PalatablePastime]

Excellent curry powder! I use quite a lot of curry powder and this recipe stands shoulder to shoulder with every one. Makes a nice batch as well, which should last some time. I made this to use in Alskann's (Recipe #305738) for ZWT4 team Kumquat's Kookin' Kaboodles with some piri piri peppers I got at an African market to use for the dried hot red chiles. The only suggestion I can offer is after reading the reviews of others who subbed bay leaf for curry leaf. In my opinion, it is not a good swap as they taste nothing alike. I would suggest if you are out to just add a little more curry powder. If you do come across some curry leaves (perhaps in an ethnic market) be sure to freeze them being careful not to crush them in the freezer as they do keep very well. Thanks for posting! ~Sue

 

[Sydney Mike]

Made this ALMOST according to the ingredient list & directions, but I did cut back the 'dried red chilies' to 2! Think I enjoyed this as much because the curry leaves were so hard to find, as anything else! Thanks for the great recipe! [Made & reviewed while touring Africa in Zaar World Tour 4]

 

[MarraMamba]

Extremely easy to make, and perfect with ft's cape malay curry. Delicious, fun and goes great with chicken curries as well.