"How to Make Bunny Chow: Step-by-Step Guide for Beginners to Perfect South African Curry in Bread

Have you ever tried Bunny Chow, a unique South African dish? It's a curry-filled bread bowl that delights the senses. But what makes this street food special, and how can you make it at home¹?

Bunny Chow mixes rich, spicy curry flavors with a bread bowl. Its origins are a bit of a mystery, but it's thought to have started with Indian immigrants in Durban, South Africa¹.

The name "Bunny Chow" comes from "Bania" and the slang term "chow," meaning food¹. It became a favorite street food, especially for black South Africans during apartheid when they couldn't go to restaurants¹.

Today, Bunny Chow is a key part of South African food, loved for its mix of tastes and textures. This guide will help you make your own Bunny Chow at home, whether you're new to cooking or not.

Key Takeaways

• Bunny Chow is a unique South African dish made with a hollowed-out loaf of bread filled with a spicy Durban-style curry.
• The dish has its origins in the Indian immigrant community of Durban, and the name "Bunny Chow" is a blend of "Bania" and the South African slang term "chow" for food.
• Bunny Chow became a popular and affordable street food during the apartheid era when black South Africans were restricted from entering restaurants.
• The dish combines the rich, flavorful curry with the comforting, edible bread bowl, creating a truly unique and delicious culinary experience.
• This guide will provide you with step-by-step instructions on how to make your own Bunny Chow at home, allowing you to enjoy this South African specialty.

What is Bunny Chow?

Bunny chow is a popular South African dish. It's a loaf of bread filled with a spicy curry². This dish started with the Indian merchants in Durban, South Africa². They made it a cheap and easy meal to eat on the go².

The name "bunny chow" comes from "Bania," a term for Indian merchants, and "chow," a slang word for food².

A Traditional South African Dish

In South Africa, bunny chow is a favorite dish, especially in Durban². It's loved as street food or a casual meal. It's a tasty way to enjoy South African curry flavors².

Origins and Meaning of the Name

The name "bunny chow" comes from "Bania," meaning Indian merchant, and "chow," a slang term for food². During apartheid, black South Africans couldn't go to restaurants easily. The Bania community in Durban made this dish for those who couldn't afford regular meals².

Today, bunny chow is a favorite street food and comfort food in South Africa². It's known for its tasty curry and unique bread bowl. Whether you're new to cooking or experienced, making this dish is a fun and tasty journey³.

"Bunny chow is a quintessential part of Durban's food culture, a dish that has become synonymous with the city's vibrant and diverse culinary landscape."

Ingredients for Bunny Chow Curry

The bunny chow dish is known for its tasty curry filling. It's made with a mix of aromatic spices and fresh ingredients⁴. Warm spices like cinnamon, earthy cumin, and fragrant coriander add depth to the curry⁴. Cayenne pepper, turmeric, cardamom, and fenugreek also bring unique flavors⁴.

The curry's base is onions, garlic, and ginger. These ingredients create a rich flavor profile⁵.

Spices and Aromatics

• Cinnamon stick
• Cumin seeds
• Coriander seeds
• Cayenne pepper
• Turmeric powder
• Cardamom pods
• Fenugreek seeds
• Onions
• Garlic
• Ginger
• Tomatoes

Meat and Vegetables

The bunny chow curry can have chicken, lamb, or vegetarian options like chickpeas or potatoes⁶. It often includes vegetables like carrots, potatoes, and green beans for a balanced taste⁵.

Ingredient	Quantity
Lamb (or chicken)	1 lb, cubed
Potatoes, cubed	2 cups
Carrots, sliced	1 cup
Green beans, trimmed and chopped	1 cup

The mix of spices, meat, and vegetables makes a rich, spicy curry. It's great with the bunny chow's bread bowl⁴⁶⁵.

How to Make the Curry Filling

The first step in making a delicious bunny chow is to create the curry filling. Start by browning the meat to get a rich, caramelized crust. This step adds a deep flavor to the dish⁶.

Browning the Meat

Begin by heating a lot of oil in a big pot or Dutch oven. Once the oil is hot, add the cubed meat in batches. Make sure not to fill the pan too much. Brown the meat on all sides until it's golden brown, about 5-7 minutes per batch⁵. This step is key for adding flavor to the curry.

Cooking the Aromatics and Spices

After browning the meat, add the onions, garlic, and ginger to the pot. Cook until the onions are clear and the garlic smells great, about 3-5 minutes⁵. Then, mix in spices like cumin, coriander, cayenne, turmeric, and cardamom. Let these spices toast and release their smells for 2 minutes.

Next, add the diced potatoes, chopped tomatoes, and other veggies you like⁵. Pour in water or broth, and let it simmer until the meat is tender and the veggies are cooked, about 45 minutes to an hour⁵.

The curry should now be rich and flavorful, ready to fill the iconic bunny chow bread bowl⁶.

Ingredient	Quantity
Boneless lamb leg steak, cubed	2 pounds
All-purpose potatoes, diced	2 medium
Yellow onions, diced	2 medium
Garlic, sliced	6 cloves
Cherry tomatoes, chopped	12
Canned plum tomatoes, chopped	1 (14-ounce) can
Sunflower oil	4 tablespoons
Water	2 1/2 cups

The traditional bunny chow curry is known for its rich, fragrant gravy. It's made with warm spices, onions, and tomatoes⁶. For those watching carbs, there are also potato-free versions⁶.

"Bunny Chow has become a beloved street food due to its convenience as it can be enjoyed without a plate, making it suitable for quick, on-the-go consumption anytime during the day."⁶

With the curry filling ready, it's time to prepare the bread bowl. The journey to making the perfect bunny chow continues⁶.

Bunny Chow is a favorite in South Africa, originally with vegetarian fillings but now also with meat. It came from Indian immigrants in Durban, South Africa. The name "bunny chow" comes from the Indian word for food, "chow." It's loved for being easy to eat on the go⁵. The traditional curry has a rich gravy with spices, onions, and tomatoes. For those watching carbs, there are potato-free options⁵. The recipe makes 4 servings and uses 2 pounds of lamb, 2 medium potatoes, and 2 onions⁷. It takes about 2 hours to prepare, including 30 minutes for prep and 1 hour and 30 minutes to cook⁷.

Preparing the Bread Bowl

To make a real Bunny Chow, start by getting the bread ready. This South African dish comes in a hollowed-out loaf of white bread. It's like a tasty bowl for the Durban curry⁶.

First, pick a fresh, unsliced loaf of white bread. Then, use your hands to take out the inside, leaving a 1/3-inch thick crust. This makes a strong "bowl" that holds the curry without leaking⁶.

You can use the removed bread for toppings or something else. This way, nothing goes to waste. The goal is to make a bowl that can hold the curry's weight and heat⁶.

With your bread bowl ready, you can now put together the full Bunny Chow dish. Follow this guide to make a true South African cultural gastronomy meal quickly⁶.

Assembling the Bunny Chow

Now, it's time to put together the Bunny Chow. Fill the bread bowls with the hot curry, making sure they're full to the top⁸. This way, you get a mix of the curry's aroma and the bread's strength without any mess.

The Bunny Chow is all about the mix of the curry's rich taste and the edible bread bowl⁹. Use unsliced white bread, cut into quarters, and hollowed out for the curry⁹. This lets you enjoy the curry's flavors and the bread's texture and temperature.

For beginners, assembling the Bunny Chow is easy with the right steps⁸. Make sure the bread can hold the curry without spilling. This makes the dish a true taste of Durban cuisine⁸.

Assembling the Bunny Chow is key for bringing out its true taste and spirit¹⁰. This dish gained fame as a takeaway food during apartheid, when Black South Africans couldn't eat in restaurants¹⁰.

"The bread is meant to be unsliced white bread, cut into quarters and hollowed out to hold the curry."

By using these simple steps, you'll make a Bunny Chow that honors South Africa's cultural immersion and Durban cuisine⁹. The bread should be unsliced white, cut into quarters, and hollowed out for the curry⁹⁸¹⁰.

"How to Make Bunny Chow: Step-by-Step Guide for Beginners to Perfect South African Curry in Bread"

Get ready for a tasty journey with this guide on making Bunny Chow. This traditional south african dish blends Indian spices with a simple, comforting recipe. You'll learn to make the hollowed bread loaf and enjoy the cultural experience it brings.

First, collect the key ingredients for the hollowed bread recipe. You'll need 1kg of diced lamb, 2 potatoes, 2 tomatoes, and spices like cumin seeds and cinnamon stick⁴. Cut out the inside of a loaf to use as a bowl for the curry⁴.

Brown the lamb in a big pot, then add onions and cook until they're soft⁴. Add spices and let them warm up, then mix in tomatoes and potatoes with water or stock⁴.

Let the curry simmer for 40-50 minutes until the meat and potatoes are done⁴. Fill the bread bowls with the curry and top with coriander for a fresh look⁴.

This guide helps you bring the cultural culinary experience of Bunny Chow into your kitchen. Enjoy the rich flavors and the special way it's served. Share it with loved ones for a meal you won't forget.

Serving Suggestions and Tips

When serving curry bread known as Bunny Chow, pair it with a simple carrot salad or chutney. This helps balance the spicy curry dish¹¹. It's also traditional to tear off bread pieces and dip them into the curry¹².

This hands-on way is key to the real Bunny Chow experience.

Traditional Accompaniments

For Bunny Chow, try serving it with a refreshing carrot salad or a vibrant chutney¹¹. These can cool your palate and balance the spicy curry dish.

Eating Etiquette

When eating Bunny Chow, tear off bread pieces and dip them into the curry¹². Beginners should aim for a mix of bread, meat, veggies, and sauce in each bite¹³. This traditional easy beginner's guide will make your Bunny Chow experience authentic and fun.

"Bunny Chow is a unique and flavorful way to experience the vibrant culinary traditions of South Africa."

¹¹¹³¹²

Variations and Adaptations

The traditional Bunny Chow is known for its spicy Durban-style curry. But, over time, it has seen many changes. Now, cooks often use chicken or beef instead of the usual lamb¹⁴. For vegetarians, options include chickpeas, lentils, or mixed vegetables¹⁴.

Some recipes now call for special breads, not just the classic white loaf¹⁴. This lets people choose what they like and fit their diets. Yet, it keeps the true spirit of the

Some versions add new spices like cinnamon sticks, bay leaves, and star anise¹⁴. You can also adjust the amount of Durban masala or curry powder to taste¹⁴.

For vegetarians, Bunny Chow can include potatoes, peppers, and carrots besides chickpeas and lentils¹⁴. These changes meet the needs of today's varied diets and tastes.

Bunny Chow started in the 1940s as a cheap street food during the Great Depression¹⁴. Now, it's still loved and keeps changing, letting cooks add their own twist to this traditional South African dish.

Variation	Ingredients	Preparation Time	Servings
Classic Lamb Bunny Chow	Lamb, Durban curry, Onions, Tomatoes, Chickpeas, Potatoes	14 25 minutes	14 10 people
Chicken Bunny Chow	Chicken, Durban curry, Onions, Tomatoes, Sweet Potatoes, Peas	15 40 minutes	15 4-6 people
Vegetarian Bunny Chow	Chickpeas, Lentils, Mixed Vegetables, Coconut Milk, Spices	16 1 hour 20 minutes	16 4 people

The Bunny Chow has grown into a cherished cultural cuisine. It celebrates South Africa's food diversity. Whether you like the original lamb or a vegetarian version, this hollowed loaf dish is great for beginners. It's a way to enjoy South Africa's rich flavors¹⁴¹⁵¹⁶.

Conclusion

Bunny Chow is a special and tasty South African street food loved by many¹⁷. This article gives a step-by-step guide for beginners to make this curry in a bread bowl at home. It covers the dish's origins, key ingredients, and how to cook it, helping readers make perfect Bunny Chow¹⁸. It's great for a cozy meal or to share with friends, offering a unique taste of South African culture.

For those wanting to try real South African flavors, making Bunny Chow at home is a great start. The recipe uses traditional spices and ingredients, letting you dive into the dish's rich culture¹⁹. It has meat and vegetarian options, making it a dish for everyone.

Learning to make Bunny Chow lets you bring South Africa's lively food culture to your table. The bread bowls add a fun and authentic touch to the dish¹⁷. This guide is perfect for all cooks, helping you improve your skills and start a tasty journey into South African food.

FAQ

What is Bunny Chow?

Bunny Chow is a special dish from South Africa. It's a loaf of bread filled with a spicy Durban-style curry.

Where does Bunny Chow come from?

Bunny Chow started with the Bania caste of Indian immigrants in Durban, South Africa. The name "bunny chow" comes from "Bania" and "chow," which means food in South African slang.

What are the key ingredients in a Bunny Chow?

The curry filling for Bunny Chow includes spices like cinnamon, cumin, and coriander. It also has onions, garlic, ginger, and tomatoes. You can use chicken, lamb, or vegetarian options like chickpeas or potatoes for the meat.

How do you prepare the bread bowl for Bunny Chow?

For the bread bowl, use a fresh, unsliced loaf of white bread. Hollow out the center, leaving a 1/3-inch thick crust. This makes a sturdy bowl for the curry.

How do you assemble the Bunny Chow?

Fill the bread bowls with the hot curry. Make sure the curry fills the bread to the top. The bread should hold the filling without spilling.

What are some traditional serving suggestions for Bunny Chow?

Serve Bunny Chow with a carrot salad or chutney to balance the spice. It's also traditional to eat it with your hands, tearing the bread into pieces to dip into the curry.

Are there any variations of Bunny Chow?

Yes, Bunny Chow has evolved with different variations. You can find it with various proteins or vegetarian fillings. Some even use artisanal breads.