South African Malay Curry

Dive into the bold and fragrant flavors of South African Malay Curry, a hearty, slow-cooked dish that perfectly balances savory spices with a touch of natural sweetness. Tender bites of lamb or beef are simmered in a rich blend of coriander, cumin, turmeric, and cinnamon, alongside juicy tomatoes, buttery potatoes, and a surprising twist—sweet dried apricots—that add a delightful depth of flavor. This vibrant curry is beautifully aromatic, thanks to freshly grated ginger, garlic, and chopped cilantro. Ready in just over an hour, it’s an ideal one-pot meal for family dinners or cozy gatherings. Serve it over steamed rice or with warm flatbreads for a complete, comforting experience that’s sure to become a favorite.

Nutriscore Rating: 72/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:60 mins

Total Time:80 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 2 large, finely chopped onion
• 4 cloves, minced garlic
• 1 tablespoon, freshly grated ginger
• 2 teaspoons ground coriander
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon ground turmeric
• 0.5 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 2 tablespoons curry powder
• 600 grams, cut into bite-sized cubes boneless lamb or beef
• 4 medium, finely diced tomatoes
• 2 medium, peeled and cubed potatoes
• 2 cups water or chicken stock
• 100 grams, roughly chopped dried apricots
• 1 teaspoon, or to taste salt
• 0.5 teaspoon, or to taste black pepper
• 2 tablespoons, chopped, for garnish fresh cilantro (coriander leaves)
• 0 for serving (optional) steamed rice or flatbread

Directions

Step 1

Heat the vegetable oil in a large, heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven over medium heat.

Step 2

Add the finely chopped onions and sauté until golden brown, about 5-7 minutes.

Step 3

Stir in the minced garlic and grated ginger. Cook for 1-2 minutes until fragrant.

Step 4

Add the ground coriander, cumin, turmeric, cinnamon, and curry powder. Stir well to coat the onions and toast the spices for about 1 minute.

Step 5

Add the cubed lamb or beef to the pot. Cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the meat is browned on all sides.

Step 6

Add the diced tomatoes to the pot and stir. Cook for 5 minutes, allowing the tomatoes to break down and form a thick paste.

Step 7

Add the cubed potatoes, water or chicken stock, and dried apricots. Stir everything together.

Step 8

Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low. Cover the pot with a lid and let the curry simmer gently for 35–40 minutes, or until the meat is tender and the potatoes are cooked through.

Step 9

Season the curry with salt and black pepper to taste. If the curry is too thick, add a little more water or stock.

Step 10

Remove from heat and garnish with freshly chopped cilantro leaves.

Step 11

Serve hot with steamed rice or flatbread, and enjoy this aromatic and comforting dish.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(2693.5g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	3059.6

Total Fat 158.2g	0%
Saturated Fat 59.6g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 17.2g
Cholesterol 582mg	0%
Sodium 6957.0mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 247.2g	0%
Dietary Fiber 32.5g	0%
Total Sugars 79.7g
Protein 181.6g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 460.9mg	0%
Iron 34.7mg	0%
Potassium 7127.5mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 45.4%

Protein: 23.1%

Carbs: 31.5%