Entree: Eswatini – Southern Culinary Region – Bunny Chow (Hollowed bread loaf filled with a spicy Durban-style meat curry served as a hand-held meal)
Serving Size: 4
Approximate Time
Prep
20 min
Cook
35 min
Total
55 min
Ingredients
- 1 large unsliced white sandwich loaf, about 20 oz (570 g)
- 1 lb (454 g) boneless lamb shoulder, cut into 1/2-inch (1 cm) cubes
- 2 tbsp (30 ml) vegetable oil
- 2 medium yellow onions, finely chopped (about 8 oz / 225 g)
- 3 cloves garlic, minced (about 9 g)
- 1 tbsp (15 g) fresh ginger, grated
- 2 tbsp (30 g) curry powder (Durban-style if available)
- 1 tsp (5 g) ground turmeric
- 1 tsp (2.5 g) chili powder or to taste
- 1 tsp (2 g) ground coriander
- 1 tsp (5 g) salt, plus more to taste
- 1/2 tsp (2.5 g) freshly ground black pepper
- 1 can (14 oz / 400 g) diced tomatoes
- 1 cup (240 ml) beef or lamb stock
- 2 medium potatoes, peeled and diced (about 12 oz / 340 g)
- 1 tbsp (15 ml) lemon juice
- 2 tbsp (30 ml) chopped fresh cilantro for garnish
- 1/2 cup (120 ml) mango chutney or plain yogurt for serving (optional)
Instructions
1. Heat oil in a heavy pot over medium-high heat. Add the chopped onions and cook until soft and beginning to brown, about 6–8 minutes.
2. Add garlic and ginger and cook 1 minute more. Stir in curry powder, turmeric, chili powder, and ground coriander and toast briefly until fragrant, about 30 seconds.
3. Add the lamb cubes and brown on all sides, about 6–8 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.
4. Pour in the diced tomatoes and stock, bring to a simmer, then add the diced potatoes. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer gently until lamb is tender and potatoes are cooked, about 25–30 minutes. Adjust seasoning and add lemon juice.
5. Meanwhile, prepare the loaf: cut the top off and scoop out most of the interior crumb to form a cavity, leaving a sturdy shell and the removed bread for serving.
6. Spoon the curry into the hollowed loaf, ladle some sauce into the bottom, garnish with chopped cilantro, and serve immediately with the reserved bread and chutney or yogurt on the side.
