I learned what I suspect is a modified version of South Indian cooking from a South African friend of Tamil descent.  It's wonderful, spicy food with an emphasis on coconut (as you pointed out) and fish.  I love toasting the spices.

I am so going to make that cauliflower curry... once I've made a trip to the souq for spices.  I hope I can find everything -- I'm sure it's all available here, it's just a matter of figuring out the Arabic names.  Wish me luck.