South African Bobotie 🍽️
Bobotie is a traditional South African dish inspired by Malay cuisine. This mildly spiced beef mince dish combines rich flavors from curry paste, raisins, and lemon, topped with a savory egg custard. It's a perfect one-pot wonder for busy nights and can be served with green beans, sweet potatoes, and a refreshing tomato salad.
Equipment
- Nonstick frying pan
- Mixing bowls
- Baking dish
- Whisk
Ingredients
- 1 slice of wholemeal bread
- 250 ml milk
- 2 medium onions diced
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 kg lean beef mince
- 1 tbsp Madras curry paste or curry powder
- Juice of 1/2 lemon
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1/3 cup raisins or sultanas
- 2 tbsp flaked almonds optional
- 5 lime or lemon leaves or fresh bay leaves
- 4 eggs lightly beaten
To serve:
- Green beans
- Baked sweet potatoes
- Tomato salad
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Set your oven to 180°C (356°F) while preparing the dish.
- Prepare the Bread: Tear the bread into small pieces and soak in 250ml of milk. Let it absorb the milk for a few minutes until soft.
- Cook the Mince: In a large nonstick frying pan, heat 1 tbsp of olive oil over medium heat. Add the diced onions and lean beef mince. Using two spoons, break up the mince and mix well with the onions. Cook until the mince browns and the fat renders out, about 8-10 minutes.
- Add Flavor: Stir in 1 tbsp of Madras curry paste or curry powder, making sure it's evenly distributed. Add the juice of half a lemon and mix well.
- Mix in Raisins & Bread: Add the raisins (or sultanas) and the milk-soaked bread to the meat mixture. Stir to combine. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Transfer to Baking Dish: Pour the beef mixture into a large baking dish and level it out with the back of a spoon.
- Prepare the Egg Custard: Lightly beat 4 eggs in a bowl. Place the lime or bay leaves on top of the meat mixture, then pour the beaten eggs evenly over the entire dish.
- Bake: Place the dish in the oven and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the egg custard has set and the top is golden and bubbling.
- Serve: Remove from the oven and let it rest for a few minutes. Serve the Bobotie with green beans, baked sweet potatoes, and a fresh tomato salad.
Notes
-
- Bread Choice: Wholemeal bread adds a wholesome texture, but you can use any bread you have on hand.
- Make-Ahead Tip: Bobotie can be prepared ahead of time, stored in the freezer, and baked when needed for a quick meal.
- Flavor Boost: Lime leaves add a refreshing citrus note, but bay leaves can be used as a substitute.