"Delightful Durban Lunch: A 3-Course Meal"
Starter: Samoosas with Tamarind Chutney
Ingredients:
For the Samoosas:
- 10-12 samoosa pastry sheets (available at most supermarkets)
- 1 cup cooked and diced potatoes
- 1/2 cup peas
- 1/2 cup minced lamb or beef (optional)
- 1 tsp cumin seeds
- 1 tsp coriander powder
- 1/2 tsp chili powder
- Salt to taste
- Vegetable oil for frying
For the Tamarind Chutney:
- 1/2 cup tamarind pulp
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 1/2 tsp cumin powder
- 1/2 tsp red chili powder
- Salt to taste
Instrucions
- Heat oil in a pan, add cumin seeds, and let them sizzle.
- Add minced meat (if using) and sauté until browned.
- Add potatoes, peas, coriander powder, chili powder, and salt. Cook until potatoes are soft.
- Let the mixture cool. Fill the samosa pastry sheets, following the instructions on the packet.
- Heat oil in a deep pan and deep-fry the samoosas until golden brown.
For the Tamarind Chutney:
- Mix tamarind pulp, sugar, cumin powder, red chili powder, and salt in a saucepan.
- Heat and stir until the mixture thickens. Let it cool.
Main Course: Chicken Biryani
Ingredients:
- 2 cups basmati rice
- 500g bone-in chicken pieces
- 1 large onion, thinly sliced
- 2 tomatoes, chopped
- 2 tbsp ginger-garlic paste
- 1/2 cup plain yogurt
- 2 tsp biryani masala
- 1 tsp turmeric
- 1 tsp cumin seeds
- 4-5 green chilies, slit
- Fresh coriander and mint leaves
- Ghee or vegetable oil for cooking
- Salt to taste
Instructions:
- Wash and soak the basmati rice for 30 minutes. Drain and set aside.
- In a large pot, heat ghee or oil, add cumin seeds, sliced onions, and cook until onions turn brown.
- Add ginger-garlic paste, green chilies, and sauté for a few minutes.
- Add the chicken pieces and cook until they turn white.
- Add tomatoes, biryani masala, turmeric, and cook until the tomatoes are soft.
- Add yogurt, fresh coriander, and mint leaves. Cook for a few minutes.
- In a separate pot, boil the soaked rice until it’s partially cooked.
- Layer the chicken mixture and partially cooked rice in the pot, and cook on low heat for about 20-25 minutes until the rice is fully cooked.
Dessert: Milk Tart
Ingredients:
For the Crust:
- 1 cup crushed Marie biscuits (or graham crackers)
- 4 tbsp melted butter
For the Filling:
- 2 cups milk
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1/4 cup flour
- 1/4 cup cornstarch
- 3 large eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- A pinch of salt
- Cinnamon for garnish
Instructions:
For the Crust:
- Mix the crushed biscuits and melted butter.
- Press the mixture into the base of a tart dish or individual dessert bowls.
For the Filling:
- In a saucepan, heat the milk until almost boiling, then remove it from the heat.
- In a separate bowl, mix sugar, flour, cornstarch, and salt.
- Add the egg yolks and vanilla to the dry mixture and whisk until smooth.
- Slowly pour the hot milk into the egg mixture, whisking constantly.
- Pour the mixture back into the saucepan and cook over low heat, stirring constantly until it thickens.
- Pour the custard over the crust.
- Sprinkle with cinnamon.
- Let it cool and refrigerate for a few hours before serving.