South African Curried Tripe
A rich and comforting South African curried tripe, deeply influenced by Indian flavors. This slow-cooked dish features tender tripe simmered with aromatic spices, potatoes, and tomatoes.
🧂 Ingredients
- 1.5 kg Beef Tripe(Honeycomb tripe is preferred for its texture. Ensure it is thoroughly cleaned and any excess fat trimmed.)
- 3 tbsp Curry Powder(A good quality medium-heat curry powder. Adjust to your spice preference.)
- 4 Large Potatoes(Peeled and cut into 2-3 cm (1-inch) cubes.)
- 3 Ripe Tomatoes(Finely chopped or pureed.)
- 2 large Onions(Finely chopped.)
- 4 cloves Garlic(Minced.)
- 1 tbsp Ginger(Freshly grated.)
- 2 tbsp Vegetable Oil
- Enough to cover Water or Beef Broth(Approximately 1-1.5 liters.)
- To taste Salt
- To taste Black Pepper
- A handful Fresh Coriander (Cilantro)(Chopped, for garnish (optional).)
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Prepare the Tripe: Rinse the tripe thoroughly under cold running water. If not pre-cleaned, soak it in cold water with a tablespoon of vinegar for 15-20 minutes, then rinse again. Cut the tripe into bite-sized pieces (about 3-4 cm or 1.5 inches).
⏱️ 20 minutes - 2
Initial Boil: Place the cut tripe in a large, heavy-bottomed pot. Cover with cold water or beef broth. Bring to a rolling boil over high heat. Once boiling, reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer gently for at least 3.5 hours, or until the tripe is very tender. Skim off any foam or impurities that rise to the surface during the first hour. Add more water if necessary to keep the tripe submerged.
⏱️ 3.5 hours - 3
Sauté Aromatics: Once the tripe is tender, drain most of the cooking liquid, reserving about 2 cups. In the same pot (or a clean one if preferred), heat the vegetable oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onions and sauté until softened and translucent, about 8-10 minutes. Add the minced garlic and grated ginger, and cook for another 1-2 minutes until fragrant, being careful not to burn them.
⏱️ 10-12 minutes - 4
Add Spices and Tomatoes: Stir in the curry powder and cook for 1 minute, toasting the spices until fragrant. Add the chopped tomatoes (or puree) and cook, stirring occasionally, until the tomatoes have broken down and the mixture starts to form a thick paste, about 5-7 minutes.
⏱️ 6-8 minutes - 5
Combine and Simmer: Return the tender tripe to the pot with the spice mixture. Add the cubed potatoes. Pour in the reserved tripe cooking liquid (or enough to generously cover the ingredients). Season with salt and black pepper. Stir everything together well.
⏱️ 5 minutes - 6
Final Cooking: Bring the mixture to a simmer, then reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and cook for another 30-45 minutes, or until the potatoes are fork-tender and the sauce has thickened to your desired consistency. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking. If the curry becomes too thick, add a little more water or broth.
⏱️ 30-45 minutes - 7
Serve: Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper if needed. Ladle the hot curried tripe into bowls. Garnish with fresh chopped coriander (cilantro) if desired. Serve with rice, roti, or crusty bread.
⏱️ 5 minutes
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓The long, slow cooking time is crucial for tenderizing the tripe. Do not rush this step.
- ✓For a richer curry, you can add a tablespoon of tomato paste along with the chopped tomatoes.
- ✓This dish is a classic example of the fusion of Indian spices and South African culinary traditions.
- ✓Ensure the tripe is very clean before cooking to avoid any off-flavors.
✨ Twist Ideas
Inspiration for your own version of this recipe
- Add a can of drained and rinsed chickpeas during the last 15 minutes of simmering for added texture and protein.
- Increase the heat by adding a chopped fresh chili (like a bird's eye chili) with the garlic and ginger, or by using a hotter curry powder.
- Stir in a tablespoon of garam masala in the last 10 minutes of cooking for an extra layer of aroma.