Cape Malay Curry

There’s a familiar moment in many South African kitchens: onions softening in oil, garlic and ginger added, spices stirred through and allowed to toast. It’s the starting point of a dish that means different things in different parts of the country, but always feels like home.

Winter arrived with a bang in Cape Town this week as it was left battered and bruised in a storm said to be the greatest storm the Cape has seen in 30 years. Thankfully it also meant plenty of rain which is desperately needed considering the drought and the fact that the city was officially declared a disaster area earlier this year. Now that we’re finally into the cold and wet season, if ever you needed an excuse to hibernate and delight in warm winter dishes, this is it.