Curry Flavour When It Rains In November

111 years ago on this day, my Grandmama was born. How the world has changed, the only thing that hasn’t is the rain! Bob Hope was also born in 1903, and Konrad Lorenz (Austrian Zoologist 1903-1989) said: "I have found the missing link between the higher ape and civilized man: It is we." George Bernard Shaw wrote Man and Superman in that year, and in Act 1 writes, " A lifetime of happiness! No man alive should bear it: it would be hell on earth."

Famous people born in 1903 include: Diane Freeland – Journalist; John Dillinger – Thief, organised crime; Louis Leaky – Academic, anthropologist, Archaeologist; Evelyn Waugh – educator, artist, author, journalist; Dr. Benjamin Spock – Medical Professional, journalist; Anais Nin – Author and journalist!

Jo Ross Frames Knight, a notable figure in our family history, attended Rhodean School, founded in 1903 by Theresa Lawrence and Katherine Margaret Earle, reflecting a legacy of education and progress that inspires our story.

The school began with 22 pupils, and was situated in a small house in Jeppestown, Johannesburg. In 1904, it relocated to its current site in Houghton, Johannesburg.

After matriculating, she attended a finishing school in Switzerland and then lived in Paris for a year. She was a feminist and activist; she was a fast bowler for the Kimberley cricket team; and she owned a motorcar.

She certainly lived a very privileged life; she loved travelling and encouraged us to do so too.

She was an avid reader and, for my 16th birthday, gave me “Caravans” by James Michener. I’m sure she would’ve liked it if I’d upped and left and gone off smoking hashish with hippies in North Africa somewhere! She smoked cigarettes, and I’m sure the odd cigar, too!

I don’t think she cared much for food, but I imagine she enjoyed entertaining friends, having parties, getting dressed up, and being the life and soul at her soirees. She told me, “My girl, you can never be too rich or too thin, and you must play bridge as it takes you everywhere”! My first car (and love of my life) was a present from her, a blue Mini Clubman GTX.

She was brutally honest, never minced her words, and hated Vorster, Verwoerd, and Botha, calling them buffoons. She didn’t suffer fools gladly, but she was progressive, kind, funny, and exotic. Christmas and birthdays were made spectacular once her parcels arrived from London!

She loved gardening, and for years, I believed "My Granny", a pink antique rose, was named after her, and Just Joey, I always had that in my garden!  She loved her Gordon's Gin, Rose’s Lime Juice, and French Champagne. We could set the clock on her punctual timing of drinks at 12h00 and 18h00! She played bridge, did dressage, and spoke French, receiving the Paris Match until shortly before she passed away. Until I visited France, I couldn’t understand how she could have supper at midnight, then I understood! She met Ernest Hemingway in Harry’s bar in the 1920s and loved Maurice Chevalier!

She was as thin as a rake, always groomed and well shod; she wore Hanro and dabbed Joy behind her ears and on her wrists. When we asked her why she won’t drive a Rolls-Royce, she replied, “Oh, God! No! The Beatles drive those”! 

Happy Birthday, Jo Knight, you’re still remembered, and you’re going to hate the recipe below! But then I remind you of your favourite quote, "There are two tragedies in life. One is not to get one's heart's desire. The other is to get it."  She survived two World Wars, knew the Wall had crumbled, and heard the rumbles of change in her beloved country, but didn't live to see it.

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SISTER-IN-LAW’S CHICKEN CURRY

Chutney
Cucumber sambal

Sliced banana (South Africans do it this way)

Naan bread

(I often serve peas with my curry as we enjoy vegetables.)

METHOD:
Pre-heat the oven to 150°C (a low heat)

1. In a large saucepan or casserole dish, heat the oil, turn the stove down to a medium heat, and sauté the onion, garlic, and ginger until sweet, fragrant, and transparent.
2. In a pestle, crush the star anise, coriander seeds, and cardamom (remove pips from the tough outer shell). Add curry powder, turmeric, and sugar. Add these spices to the onion and sauté for a minute or two over low heat.
3. Add the sliced chilli and sauté.
4. Add the chicken, turn up the heat slightly, and brown the meat to a golden colour. Transfer to a casserole if you haven’t been using one. Add bay leaves and Cinnamon sticks.
5. Add the carrot, potato, and tomato, and season to taste.
6. DO NOT ADD ANY ADDITIONAL LIQUID.
7. Cover with a sheet of tin foil so that no moisture escapes, plus the lid.
8. Transfer to the oven and cook for 90 minutes at a low temperature.
9. Check after 60 minutes; if the curry is too watery, add a finely grated potato to thicken, but it should be fine.
10. Cook 1 cup of Basmati rice for every 4 guests as instructed on the packet
11. Garnish the curry with the coriander leaves. Remember to remove bay leaves and cinnamon stick.
12. Serve with the sambal, chutney, yoghurt, banana, and Naan bread.
13. If you’d like more heat, serve some sliced chilli in a small bowl on the side

TIP:  Mutton may be used instead of chicken pieces (1,5kg)

Namaste!

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June 2026 It is important to remember that in South Africa, we have two distinct curry flavours (besides the multitude of curries we make nowadays). Our traditional curries are Cape Malay Curry and Durban Curries. Cape Malay Curry is sweeter and milder, while Durban Curries packs a spicier punch.

It’s a cold day, and the painters didn’t show up for work to complete their painting job. A family recipe is called for, and I was adamant that we’d do Mary-Anne’s curry today. She made an Indian curry, hot and spicy. We need that to counter the hot-under-the-collar feeling we’re experiencing at the incompetence of the labour force in our neck of the woods.

Happy I found this good old faithful.