A hearty and fragrant dish that is perfect for the colder months, serve this traditional Bobotie for your South African friends and family and be sure to impress them!
Bobotie, a beloved South African curried minced meat dish with a creamy egg topping, is often described as a perfect blend of sweet and savory comfort food.
A hearty and fragrant dish that is perfect for the colder months, serve this traditional Bobotie for your South African friends and family and be sure to impress them!
What is Bobotie?
Bobotie is a South African curry dish that features curried beef mince that is topped with a savory egg custard and is baked in the oven. The curried mince dish is filled with unique sweet and savory flavors of curry powder, turmeric, ginger, crushed garlic, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, lemon juice, chutney, and raisins or sultanas. You can also make our venison Bobotie to mix up your protein a bit!
Sophisticated Yet Practical
While this dish is quite sophisticated and has an intricate method, it is very realistic to make. Once the mixture has been cooked and topped off with the egg custard, it bakes in the oven for 30 minutes, in which time you can cook your rice and have the whole meal ready to serve once the dish is out of the oven.
Serve this traditional and tasty dish with your cooked rice of choice and a traditional salad such as a sambal.
You can make this recipe by just adding or minimizing to suit the amount you need. This recipe will serve 8 people.
Ingredients
Group 1:
- 30 ml Ground Ginger
- 30 ml Soft Brown Sugar
- 30 ml Turmeric
- 30 ml Curry powder
- 30 ml Crushed Garlic
- 10 ml Salt
- 2 ml Pepper
- 50 ml Olive Oil
- 5 medium Onions sliced in cubes
Group 2:
- 2 Slices White Bread soaked in water
- 1 kg Lean Mince
- 150 ml Seedless Raisins (sultanas is the best) or any other available
- 12 Almonds sliced
- 60 ml Mrs Ball Chutney
- 30 ml Lemon Juice
- 30 ml Worcestershire Sauce
Group 3:
- 375 ml Milk
- 2 large Eggs
- Almonds for garnish and lemon leaves if available
Yellow Rice:
- 2 cups White Rice
- 1 tsp Salt
- 1 tsp Turmeric
- 2 cups Water
- 1 tsp Lemon Juice
- 2 tsp Sugar mixed with Cinnamon to be added when cooked
Instructions
Group 1:
Heat oil in a heavy saucepan. Add all Group 1 ingredients and sauté on medium heat until onions are soft and lightly golden.
Group 2:
Squeeze excess water from bread. Mix with remaining Group 2 ingredients and add to the saucepan. Stir well, reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally until evenly cooked. Transfer to an oven dish and garnish with almonds and lemon leaves (optional).
Group 3:
Whisk eggs and milk together. Pour over the meat mixture and bake at 180°C for 30 minutes.
Yellow Rice:
Bring rice and water to a boil. Add remaining ingredients and cook until tender (about 20 minutes). Remove from heat and stir in cinnamon sugar to taste.
To Serve
Plate with yellow rice and a fresh salad of your choice.
Classic South African Bobotie with Creamy Egg Topping
Ingredients
Method
- Heat oil in a heavy saucepan. Add all Group 1 ingredients and sauté on medium heat until onions are soft and lightly golden.
- Squeeze excess water from bread. Mix with remaining Group 2 ingredients and add to the saucepan. Stir well, reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally until evenly cooked. Transfer to an oven dish and garnish with almonds and lemon leaves (optional).
- Whisk eggs and milk together. Pour over the meat mixture and bake at 180°C for 30 minutes.
- Bring rice and water to a boil. Add remaining ingredients and cook until tender (about 20 minutes). Remove from heat and stir in cinnamon sugar to taste.