Vibrant South African Bunny Chow with Spicy Beans

Name: Vibrant South African Bunny Chow with Spicy Beans
Prep time: 1 h
Cook time: 1 h
Total time: 1 h
Yield: 4
Cuisine: Main Course
Ingredients: Dried beans; Onion; Garlic; Ginger; Curry powder; Tomatoes; Vegetable oil; Salt and pepper; White bread loaves; Butter; Cumin seeds; Coriander seeds; Turmeric powder; Fresh cilantro; Fresh mint

A Flavorful Street Food Experience from South Africa

Bunny Chow is a famous South African street food dish that consists of a hollowed-out bread loaf filled with spicy beans. It’s an explosion of flavors and spices perfect for any occasion.

1 h 30 min
4
Intermediate

Ingredients

For the Spicy Beans

Dried beans

2 cups, soaked overnight

Onion

1 cup, finely chopped

Garlic

2 cloves, minced

Ginger

1 tablespoon, grated

Curry powder

2 tablespoons

Tomatoes

1 cup, chopped

Vegetable oil

2 tablespoons

Salt and pepper

To taste

For the Bread Loaf

White bread loaves

2 large, unsliced

Butter

1 tablespoon, melted

For the Spice Mix

Cumin seeds

1 teaspoon

Coriander seeds

1 teaspoon

Turmeric powder

1 teaspoon

For the Garnish

Fresh cilantro

1 tablespoon, chopped

Fresh mint

1 tablespoon, chopped

Preparation

Marinating the Beans

Drain and Rinse Beans

Drain the soaked beans and rinse under cold water.

Do not skip the step of soaking beans overnight for the best texture.

Combine with Curry Powder

In a large bowl, combine beans with curry powder.

Marinate

Let them marinate for 30 minutes.

Add a squeeze of lemon to the beans while marinating for extra zest.

Preparing the Spice Mix

Toast Seeds

Toast the cumin and coriander seeds in a dry skillet until aromatic.

Crush Seeds

Crush the toasted seeds in a mortar and pestle.

Mix with Turmeric

Mix the ground seeds with turmeric powder.

Cooking Process

Cook Beans

In a large pot, heat vegetable oil and sauté onions, garlic, and ginger until soft. Add tomatoes and spice mix. Stir in the marinated beans. Cover and simmer until beans are tender.

Prepare Bread

Preheat oven to 180°C (350°F). Hollow out the bread loaves, leaving a thick shell. Brush insides with melted butter and bake until slightly crispy.

Assemble Bunny Chow

Fill the hollowed bread loaves with the spicy beans mixture and garnish with cilantro and mint.

Plating & Serving