Bobotie (South African Spiced Meat Bake)
In short: Curry-spiced minced beef with apricot jam, raisins and almonds, baked under a golden egg custard, South Africa's best-known family dish. It takes about 1 h 35 min in total and makes 6 servings.
- Prep
- 30 min
- Cook
- 1 h 5 min
- Total
- 1 h 35 min
- Servings
- 6
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 505 kcal
Bobotie is often called South Africa's national dish. Curry-spiced minced meat is sweetened with apricot jam and raisins, sharpened with lemon, then baked under a golden egg and milk custard. It reflects the Cape Malay influence on Cape cooking and is a family favorite across the country. The flavor is fragrant rather than hot. Serve it with yellow rice, chutney, sliced banana and coconut.
Instructions
- Heat the oven to 180°C (350°F) and grease a 23 x 33 cm (9 x 13 inch) baking dish. Soak the bread in the 125 ml of milk for 5 minutes, then squeeze it out, keeping the milk for the topping.
- Heat the oil in a large pan over medium heat. Fry the onions for 8 minutes until soft and golden, add the garlic for 1 minute, then stir in the curry powder, turmeric and cumin and cook for 1 minute.
- Add the beef and cook for 8 to 10 minutes, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned and no longer pink (71°C / 160°F). Pour off any excess fat.
- Mash the squeezed bread into the meat, then add the jam, chutney, raisins, almonds, lemon juice, salt and pepper. Cook for 3 minutes and taste; it should be sweet, sour and gently spiced.
- Spoon the mixture into the dish and press it down firmly to level the top. Tuck the bay leaves into the surface.
- Whisk the eggs with the milk, turmeric and salt. Pour the custard evenly over the meat.
- Bake for 30 to 35 minutes, until the topping is set and lightly golden. Rest for 10 minutes before serving.
Tips
- Lamb is just as traditional as beef, and a half-and-half mix gives extra richness. Use the same quantities.
- Do not overbake. The custard should be just set and silky, because longer baking turns it rubbery and makes it weep.
Questions and answers
Can I make bobotie ahead of time?
Yes. Cook the meat layer up to a day ahead, then add the custard and bake just before serving. Fully baked bobotie also reheats well, covered, at 160°C (325°F) for 20 minutes.
Is bobotie spicy?
It is fragrant rather than hot. Mild curry powder, apricot jam and raisins give a sweet and savory flavor, and you can add a pinch of chili flakes for more heat.
What do you serve with bobotie?
Yellow rice with raisins is the classic partner, plus chutney, sliced banana, desiccated coconut and a tomato and onion salad.
How long does it take to make Bobotie (South African Spiced Meat Bake)?
About 1 h 35 min in total: 30 min of preparation and 1 h 5 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Bobotie (South African Spiced Meat Bake)?
About 505 kcal per serving, with 30 g of protein, 27 g of carbohydrates and 30 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 505 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 30 g |
| Carbohydrates | 27 g |
| Fat | 30 g |
| Fiber | 3 g |
| Sugar | 16 g |
| Sodium | 780 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
