The Essay: From Biltong to Bobotie - Journeys in South African Cuisine

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Essays from leading writers on arts, history, philosophy, science, religion and beyond.

Leading writers on arts, history, philosophy, science, religion and beyond, themed across a week - insight, opinion and intellectual surprise.

The Essay: From Biltong to Bobotie - Journeys in South African Cuisine: South African Indian Food

South African Indian Food

From Biltong to Bobotie - Journeys in South African Cuisine

BBC Radio 3 - The Essay, From Biltong to Bobotie - Journeys in South African Cuisine, South African Indian Food

Lindsay Johns introduces us to bunny chow, a curry dish invented in Durban.

Writer and broadcaster Lindsay Johns introduces us to bunny chow, a dish made from a hollowed-out loaf of bread filled with curry, which was invented in Durban.

Writer and broadcaster Lindsay Johns explores the food of South Africa.

South African cuisine is as varied as South Africa itself, and in this set of Essays, Lindsay will delve into the foods of the Rainbow Nation for five personal and lyrical ruminations on what these foods evoke for him. Each Essay - covering one of South Africa's racial groups - offers distinct memories of different aspects of his many experiences in South Africa. We'll sample the different cuisines, and experience these nuanced and complex communities through Lindsay's eyes, ears, and taste buds.

In today's Essay, Lindsay introduces Bunny chow, a dish made from a hollowed-out loaf of bread filled with curry, which was created in Durban, and is today the most famous dish of Durban’s Indian community – one of the largest in the world outside India itself. Born at a time when Indian restaurateurs were prevented by law from serving food to black workers - the dish was served surreptitiously so that passing police forces would see only a loaf of bread - today it is a national staple.

Producer: Giles Edwards.

Live music and the arts: broadcasts more live music than any other radio network. Classical music is its core. Genres include world and new music, jazz, speech and drama.

Writer and broadcaster Lindsay Johns explores the food of the Rainbow Nation.

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