Here's to 'Bunny Chow' as the South Africans call it, or 'Stondido' as the Zimbabweans refer to it (arguably a misnomer but I always loved the word!). Perhaps this makes you think of a bread bowl with soup from your local deli. The inspiration here mainly goes to bunny chow - Indian curry served, and eaten with a hollowed-out loaf of bread. The dish's origins are rooted in Durban, South Africa and there is a long history behind it.

I put together a version that would serve as the ultimate comfort food. You can leave out the shrimp and keep it vegan/vegetarian with the chickpeas and malanga root. The combination of spices, fresh bread, coconut, and a kick from the kachumbari (East African tomato, onion, and jalapeno salad) on the side makes for a delicious, satisfying meal you won't’ regret making!

Ingredients

1 tablespoon butter

2 tablespoons vegetable oil

1 teaspoon garlic, minced

1/2 medium red onion

1 can diced tomatoes

1 teaspoon cumin

1 tablespoon curry powder

1 teaspoon ginger

1 teaspoon dried parsley

1/2 teaspoon lemongrass

1 teaspoon + 1/2 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon + 1 teaspoon black pepper

1 teaspoon chili powder

1 teaspoon dried chili flakes

1 teaspoon + 1 tablespoon paprika

2 tablespoon fish spice

1 cup malanga root, peeled and chopped

1/2 cup yellow peppers, chopped

1/2 cup carrots, chopped

1/2 pound shrimp, cooked

1 can chickpeas

1 cup coconut cream

3 cups (seafood) broth

1 chicken bouillon cube

1 tablespoon olive oil

2 teaspoons lemon juice

1/2 teaspoon fish sauce

2 tablespoons tomato paste

1 teaspoon cornstarch

1/2 cup coconut milk

1 sturdy loaf, unsliced (I used pain de campagne round bread/French sourdough)

Kachumbari:

(Optional curry condiment that resembles sambals)

1/2 jalapeno

1/4 medium red onion

1 roma tomato

1 teaspoon honey

1 teaspoon balsamic vinaigrette

3 tablespoons olive oil

1 teaspoon lemon juice

1/2 teaspoon garlic

1 teaspoon dried parsley

Instructions:

Step  1

Toss your shrimp and chickpeas in olive oil, 1 teaspoon black pepper, 1 teaspoon lemon juice, 1 tablespoon paprika, and the fish spice, Set aside in the fridge.  

Step 2

Add the butter and vegetable oil to a large pot. Add the garlic and onions and sauté until fragrant, about 2 minutes. Add all the spices, sauté for another 2 minutes. 

Step 3

Add the chopped malanga, carrots, and pepper. Cook for about 5 minutes to sweat the vegetables out. Add the tomatoes and tomato paste. Cook for another 2 minutes.

Step 4

Add the broth, a crushed, dissolved bouillon cube, and the coconut cream. Heat the pot until the contents reach boiling point, then reduce the temperature to low and simmer for about 25 minutes with the lid on, stirring occasionally. 

Step 5 

Check to see if the malanga has softened (if not, simmer for an additional 5-10 minutes). Season with additional salt and pepper to taste if you like.

Step 6

Add the shrimp and chickpeas, along with the coconut milk and dissolved cornstarch (you can use some of the hot curry to do this). Simmer for another 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally to make sure it thickens.

Step 7

To make Kachumbari: In a bowl, whisk together vinaigrette, honey, olive oil, lemon, salt, pepper, parsley, and minced garlic - taste to see if it is to your liking. Add finely chopped jalapeno, tomato, and onion and mix everything well. Set aside. 

Step 8

Cut the top off your bread (or cut it in half depending on the shape). Hollow out the loaf but keep the bread stuffing, set aside. Dish your curry directly into the bread and serve hot with kachumbari. Enjoy!

Serves 3 - 4