KZN reacts: “There is no curry without dhania”

Updated Nov. 7, 2022, 3:17 p.m. | By Stacey and J Sbu/ Poelano Malema

Stacey and J Sbu uncover why dhania is "the holy grail" in KZN...

Remember when our favourite spice was in short supply?

Now that it's back, we simply cannot get enough. Stacey Norman shares how she actually buys three bunches and freezes them just in case the dhania doom days come again.

Coriander, commonly known around Durban as 'dhania' and also known as cilantro, is a herb that is produced from a coriander plant and used extensively with regards to cooking.

Whether you’re a lover or a hater of coriander/cilantro/dhania

https://www.potentash.com/2020/07/07/benefits-coriander-dhania-health-food/

, we know how essential it is to so many dishes - especially Durban's delicious curries.

We have reached out to KZN to understand why this tantalising taste is the unsung hero of Indian dishes...

As seen above, KZN considers coriander as a must-have in the home. Not having it on our shelves for an extended period of time has caused people to protect the herb at all costs.

Whether it be buying extra and freezing it, keeping an eye on the status of dhania in South Africa or simply battling people to the death in the vegetable section, everyone is out here doing the most.

If you’re anything like the Drive team, either you're a lover or an extreme lover of coriander, but even if you're not, that tangy edition that you brush to the side is in high demand.

Click here to view its current status and always be on guard cause you never know when coriander will grow some legs and walk out of Mzansi.

From starters to dessert, here is how you can use this popular spice to take your meals from bland to grand...

Coriander comes from the coriandrum sativum plant species.

It is packed with nutrients.

According to Healthline, 10 grams of coriander contains:

16.8% of dietary fiber

3.5% of Vitamin C

9.5% of Manganese

9.1% of Iron

8.2 % of Magnesium

7.1% of Calcium

4.9% of Copper

4.1% of phosphorus

3.7% of Selenium

3.6% of Potassium

3.1 % of Zinc.

It has a warm, spicy, and nutty taste.

Let us see how you can make the most of this amazing ingredient:

RECIPE: Philicity's delicious chicken dish with tomato, olives, and herbs

Starters:

Carrot and coriander soup

For starters, we recommend the carrot and coriander soup.

Soup is a great starter because it stimulates the appetite. It can also help suppress your hunger and help reduce your food intake.

What's great with this recipe is because it not only has herbs, but it is also made of a vegetable.

The below recipe is courtesy of Project Food Nepal.

Ingredients:

Carrots - 500 gm

Potato - 1 medium size

White onion - 1 medium size

Ginger - 2 cm

Garlic - 2 cloves

Fresh coriander leaves

Salt to taste

Red chilli powder - 1 tsp

Coriander powder - 1 tsp

Black pepper - ¼ tsp

Vegetable stock - 500 ml

Cooking oil - 2 tbsp

Cooking instructions:

Add oil in a pressure cooker in medium flame

Ginger, garlic and onions; cook for 30 seconds

Add potatoes and cook for about 2 minutes

Add carrots, salt, black pepper, chilli powder and coriander powder; cook for 2 minutes

Add vegetable stock and let it come to boil

Cover the lid and cook for 2 whistles

Blend the vegetables into a smooth texture. If the soup is too thick, add more stock/ water. Heat in a pan and let it come to simmer. Enjoy while it's hot.

*If you don’t have a pressure cooker, cook it in a pot for extra 15 minutes or until carrots and potatoes soften.

READ: Vegetables and herbs that are packed with Vitamin C

Curry

Coriander is one of the most loved herbs for Indian cuisine or curries.

Almost all curry powders contain coriander. If you are looking for amazing curry or Indian cuisine with coriander, the below video has great recipe for you to try.