In partnership with PAKCO
There is a particular kind of happiness in breaking through a crisp coating and finding a sweet, juicy prawn underneath. Add the warmth of masala and I’m paying very close attention.
At Shovanie Devraj’s family home near Durban, we were cooking ahead of Diwali with her husband Clinton and Aunty Angela Moodley. The prawns combined PAKCO Curried Chillies Paste with Hinds Southern Coating Original. Crunch first, then this spicy heat and then the prawn.
Diwali, also called Deepavali, is the Festival of Lights, one of Hinduism’s major celebrations. Its name means “a row of lights”, and its central themes include light overcoming darkness and good overcoming evil. Families light small oil lamps called diyas, pray and gather, with customs differing between communities.
That history deserves attention when we sit down to eat. So do the people still doing the cooking.
Shovanie’s spread was a journey of flavour discovery, featuring chilli bites, paneer chutney with roti, and lamb curry with basmati rice. Pakco brought its own story of discovery to the table. Since 1948, the brand has been helping South Africans uncover new flavours, explore authentic cuisines and turn everyday meals into something more exciting.
For me, that is where tried-and-tested ingredients earn their place. There is confidence in knowing your spices, then making the meal your own. Shovanie remained the cook; the products helped her bring it together.
Being welcomed into that kitchen was a privilege. I was happy to leave the cooking to Shovanie. The eating, I felt, was an area where I could make a meaningful contribution.
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