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For 19 years, The African Gourmet has preserved Africa's stories is currently selected for expert consideration by the Library of Congress Web Archives, the world's premier guardian of cultural heritage.

Trusted by: Wikipedia • Emory University African Studies • University of Kansas • University of KwaZulu-Natal • MDPI Scholarly Journals.
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Durban-Style Prawn Curry with Coconut Milk

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Durban-Style Prawn Curry with Coconut Milk

This South African prawn curry combines coconut milk, warming spices, and the rich food culture of Indian South Africans. Perfect for a cozy seafood dinner, this curry celebrates the vibrant flavors of Durban’s Indian community.

Learn more about the history of Indian cooking in Africa and how cultural exchange shaped local flavors.

Durban-style South African prawn curry with coconut milk and spices
Rich, aromatic prawn curry with coconut milk — a Durban classic.

Ingredients

  • 6 fresh prawns, cleaned and shelled
  • 1 cup coconut milk
  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 1 yellow onion, diced
  • 1 teaspoon coriander seed
  • 1 teaspoon poppy seed
  • 1 teaspoon cumin seed
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1 teaspoon ground turmeric
  • 1 teaspoon ground ginger
  • ½ teaspoon sea salt
  • 2 tablespoons lime juice

Directions

  1. In a large fry pan over medium-high heat, melt butter. Add onions and spices; cook until lightly browned.
  2. Add the prawns and pour in coconut milk. Simmer for 20 minutes.
  3. Finish with lime juice and adjust salt to taste. Serve hot with steamed rice or roti.

Did You Know?

  • Durban is home to the largest Indian population in Africa — over one million people of Indian descent.
  • The first Indians arrived in 1684 under Dutch colonial rule and later as indentured workers in the 1800s.
  • Durban’s famous curries blend Indian spices with South African seafood and coconut milk.

More African Recipes to Try

For more Durban-style seafood inspiration, explore African seafood and curry recipes.

The African Gourmet explores how African food, history, and science intertwine. Here, a plant is a healer, a story is a map, and the kitchen is a laboratory. I’m Ivy — a writer raised by historians, now sharing Africa’s wisdom from the U.S. through cookbooks, cultural research, and storytelling. If you’re curious about where flavor meets memory, you belong here.

Recipes Explain Politics

When Rice Recipes Become Revolution

What if your grandmother's rice recipe could explain the Liberian Rice Riots of 1979?

"In Liberia, rice isn't just food—it's life, identity, and sovereignty. When the government proposed raising rice prices in 1979, they weren't just adjusting economics; they were threatening every grandmother's ability to feed her family according to traditions passed down for generations."

The riot that followed wasn't about politics—it was about the sacred right to cook your family's rice recipe.

The Deeper Recipe

  • Ingredients: Colonial trade patterns + Urbanization + Economic inequality
  • Preparation: Political disconnect from daily survival needs
  • Serving: 40+ deaths, regime destabilization, and a warning about ignoring cultural fundamentals

This is African Gourmet analysis: understanding how the food in grandmother's pot connects to the protests in the streets. The recipes we inherit carry not just flavor, but the entire history of our political and economic struggles.

Read the Rice Riots Analysis → Try Liberian Rice Bread Recipe
Understanding Africa through the stories our food tells • Since 2006

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African Gourmet FAQ

Archive Inquiries

Why "The African Gourmet" if you're an archive?

The name reflects our origin in 2006 as a culinary anthropology project. Over 18 years, we've evolved into a comprehensive digital archive preserving Africa's cultural narratives. "Gourmet" now signifies our curated approach to cultural preservation—each entry carefully selected and contextualized.

What distinguishes this archive from other cultural resources?

We maintain 18 years of continuous cultural documentation—a living timeline of African expression. Unlike static repositories, our archive connects historical traditions with contemporary developments, showing cultural evolution in real time.

How is content selected for the archive?

Our curation follows archival principles: significance, context, and enduring value. We preserve both foundational cultural elements and timely analyses, ensuring future generations understand Africa's complex cultural landscape.

What geographic scope does the archive cover?

The archive spans all 54 African nations, with particular attention to preserving underrepresented cultural narratives. Our mission is comprehensive cultural preservation across the entire continent.

Can researchers access the full archive?

Yes. As a digital archive, we're committed to accessibility. Our 18-year collection is fully searchable and organized for both public education and academic research.

How does this archive ensure cultural preservation?

Through consistent documentation since 2006, we've created an irreplaceable cultural record. Each entry is contextualized within broader African cultural frameworks, preserving not just content but meaning.