Who remembers Timol’s bean chutney and chicken curry?
This is another one of her splendid curry creations we enjoyed for dinner, which also means lunch for me today (lucky me!).
As you know, I can’t give you Timol’s recipe – it’s a family secret (not). You could look at Anjum’s recipe if you need a hint or two.
Who remembers Timol’s bean chutney?
Her last two chicken curries have really shot tongues out, caused a ruckus and had crowds diving in for thirds.
The second version shown below was a defrosted chicken that escaped getting roasted but that ended up getting spiced-up.
We enjoyed the dish with a selection of roti, rice or bread.
I can’t give you Timol’s recipe – it’s a family secret (not).
You could look at Anjum’s recipe if you need a hint or two.
“Emporium” (medieval Latin from Greek emporos = ‘merchant’) is a term used for a store selling a wide variety of goods, and for marketplaces or trading centres in ancient cities (see emporia (ancient Greece) and emporia (early medieval).
Situated but a stone throw away from Durban’s Beachfront, standing proudly in a sturdy spacious building, we have Spice Emporium.
Spice Emporium was born 20 years ago as an ethnic food store and since its inception, has been world renowned for its ability to provide the complete Indian experience. The brand has become synonymous with quality and exclusivity across the entire market and as a result the flagship store has become a landmark tourist destination.
There is ample parking on the street and car guards who take their job seriously.
The store also offers limited off-road parking.
Smart and alert security guards watch over the goings-on inside and outside the store.
The only thing that you can get away with and steal here is a VERY GOOD DEAL!
So with the advent of the Puratassi fasting period from 17th September till the 17th of October, where else to go and stock up on essentials but Spice Emporium of course.
Read more about Puratassi here.
The store has such a wide variety of goodies and at super competitive prices.
From the image below nobody will doubt that Timol and I quickly put 4kg of kidney beans into our trolley earlier today.
Don’t kid yourself with the words “Indian experience” above. Yes, there are Indian spices but also a wide range of dried herbs, peppercorns, flour and so on. The list is endless.
They also have cook and kitchenware.
A wide variety of incense.
Assortment of cool-drinks and juices.
Frozen veggies, pastries, soya products.
Cookies and sauces.
Honey, oils, prayer goodies.
Happy customers and more prayer goodies.
Ample space to move around lots of rows of goodies with store supplied trolleys.
Disco mukwas and somph (saunf) sweets.
Wide variety of rices and more pots.
A beautiful display of colour and variety.
More tasty treats.
And finally the really tasty mixtures; blends of India.
A very long row of everything.
Even a blend for the potjie pot.
An interesting onion & rice mix.
And even some help for those who want to try their hand at Indian Delights.
Now all this looking in-store is certainly energy consuming.
So why not stop off at the Chaat Shop.
Snacks for all to eat.
A spacious dining area.
A vibey kitchen where good hygiene is obviously not-negotiable.
Fresh ingredients only.
As a retailer based in Durban, the primary focus of the business has always been to service the retail market. With the increased influence of “Bollywood” and the increase in awareness of South Africans of Indian origin to become aware of their roots, the business has seen tremendous growth. However, the growth of the business cannot solely be attributed to these influences. Spice Emporium is a family run business and the growth of the business can also be attributed to the personal touch of the husband and wife team that manage Spice Emporium. Customers are not viewed as customers rather as friends and it is this personal attention and value to customers that have attributed to the growth of Spice Emporium.
Spice Emporium is managed by Vinod Harie and his wife Chandrika, whom between them have over 50 years of experience. Spice Emporium was born from the vision of Vinod who noticed that there was a niche in the market for a high quality, speciality and ethnic food store.
Timol and I met Chandrika earlier today.
She is delightful and friendly and I am sure she will, if not in a meeting or doing something else to keep this grand emporium on track, find the time to meet you in the aisles with her smiley face.
Call +27 31 332 5888 or go to the world of Spice Emporium where you get World Food with Home Flavour.
The flagship store is situated at 31 Monty Naicker Street towards the beach in Durban City Centre.
There are two branches: one at Gateway Theatre of Shopping, a premier shopping centre in the heart of the new Umhlanga Town Centre, about 30 kms north of the Durban CBD, and at the Reservoir Hills Mall on Mountbatten Drive, Reservoir Hills.
Go pay them a visit, you will be greatly surprised at what you will find!
Here is another good example of Timol’s hot-shot ability to whip up a quick tasty meal:
Now to start this post off properly; let’s understand that I am not friends with the owner. He did not offer me shares in the business or a free sandwich.
I love Indian food, food cooked with care and attention, value for money, deep tastes, tinges or splurges of chilli, bright colours, semi fat free, creamy but with no cream and did I forget to mention: value for money!
Outlets motivated solely by greed, who care less about what they are serving up (as long as the cash register rings) and who just don’t deserve a break; they seriously don’t deserve a break or support.
Yes, I am a little vocal about this subject because I am a fair cook (I can fry more than an egg) and don’t like wasting money.
So when I get served up a lump of sh!%$#*! or a few crumbs for many pennies, then I would rather go to the market, buy my own goodies at “cost” and cook a hearty tasty value for money real deal meal myself.
Now having heard the BIG rumours around town about Kara Nichha’s value for money, I just had to go an investigate (three times now).
Could low cost + no meat = very good taste?
Without further delay, let’s zoom in with a Canon camera to all see what’s going on at a vegerterian palace.
Parking right outside
Don’t fall over – tea R2-00 and a quarter vegetable bunny (curry in quarter loaf of bread that has been scooped hollow) for R6-50 (PS – some idiot in Durban actually charges R30-00 for the same thing and it tastes terrible)
Big turnover of customers = fresh fresh food
Service is quick and ruthless – know what you want before getting served and leave with it in a minute or less
Choose your colour – choose your meal
Fresh bean & potato wrapped in a roti for R6-50! That is 0.78 US Dollar and lunch is done – creamy and tasty
Sweet meats deluxe
Some more treats and snacks
And more…
Breyani and dhall – yummy!
It’s so tasty you could drink it
Stop licking your lips and immediately head over to:
Kara Nichha’s – Westcliff
171 Florence Nightingale Drive
Durban 4092
South Africa
Phone number
031 401 2874
Andrew Harvard Photography 