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Chakalaka
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5 from 1 vote

Siba's Secret Chakalaka

A versatile relish that can be served with a braai, as a sauce for steaks or even with a meaty stew.
Prep Time20 minutes
Cook Time20 minutes
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: South African
Author: Siba Mtongana

Ingredients

  • 45 ml olive oil
  • 1 large onion, finely chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, crushed
  • 20 ml ginger, finely grated
  • 1 red bird’s eye chilli, deseeded and chopped  (I have used jalapeno instead)
  • 30 ml mild curry powder
  • 1 green pepper, finely chopped
  • 1 red pepper, finely chopped
  • 1 yellow pepper, finely chopped
  • 4 carrots − scrubbed, topped and tailed, and grated (I use 3 large carrots)
  • 30 ml tomato paste
  • 250 ml tomato purée (I used 1 tin of chopped, peeled tomato)
  • 15 ml castor sugar (optional)
  • 1 tin baked beans in tomato sauce
  • 4 sprigs fresh thyme, stems removed and chopped (I used dried thyme)
  • salt and black pepper, to taste

Instructions

  • In a large frying pan, heat the oil and fry the onion for 2 minutes until soft and translucent.
  • Add the garlic and half of the ginger – reserve the other half, so you can add it right at the end.
  • Add the chilli and curry powder and stir to combine.
  • Add all the diced peppers and continue sautéing for 2 minutes.
  • Add the carrots, stirring well to ensure they are coated with the curry powder.
  • Add the tomato paste and tomato purée and stir. Cook for 5 - 10 minutes until the mixture is well combined and slightly thickened. 
  • Add the sugar (if using) and stir.
  • Remove from the heat. Add the baked beans, fresh thyme, remaining ginger and seasoning to taste.

Notes

  • In a different version of this recipe Siba doesn't add any sugar. The sauce from the baked beans is quite sweet and I like not having more sweetness, so I don't add sugar.
  • If you add peeled, chopped tomato in stead of tomato purée, it makes the relish more chunky. The first time I made this I used a tin of cherry tomatoes which contributes to the sweetness as well.