If you’re looking for a meal that’s full of flavor and will transport your taste buds to South Africa, then look no further than our Bobotie recipe! This deliciously spiced meat dish is a South African classic that’s perfect for any occasion. Our recipe combines ground beef with an aromatic blend of curry powder, turmeric, chutney, and more, topped with a layer of creamy egg custard. This savory-sweet dish is sure to be a hit with your family and friends. Join us in the kitchen as we walk you through the steps to create the perfect Bobotie dish. Don’t miss out on this flavorful and comforting meal that’s perfect for any night of the week!
South African Bobotie
Ingredients
- 3 Slices Bread
- 1½ Cups Milk Divided
- 2 Tablespoons Olive Oil
- 2 Large Onions Roughly Chopped
- 4 Teaspoons Medium Curry Powder
- 1 Teaspoon Marjoram
- ½ Teaspoon Ground Turmeric
- 2 Cloves of Garlic Optional
- 1½ to 2 Pounds Ground Beef
- ½ Cup Fruit Chutney Link below
- 1 Tablespoon Apricot Jam
- Zest & Juice of 1 Medium Lemon
- 4 Teaspoons Tomato Paste
- 1 Teaspoon Salt & Pepper To taste
- 2 Large Eggs
- 4 Bay Leaves
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350℉
- Cube the bread soak it in 1 cup of milk
- Heat the olive oil in a wide skillet set over medium heat. Once the oil is hot, add the onions, and cook until soft.
- Add the curry powder, mixed herbs, turmeric, and garlic, and stirring constantly, allow to cook for a minute or two until the garlic is sot
- Add the ground beef, and cook, stirring frequently to break up any big chunks, until browned
- Once the beef is browned, remove the skillet from the head, and stir in the chutney (link below), apricot jam, all the lemon zest, half the lemon juice, tomato paste, and salt and pepper to taste. Mix well, give it a taste, and add more lemon juice, salt, and pepper as desired. It should be delightfully zingy!
- Squeeze the milk from the bread, reserving the milk for later, and smooshing and tearing the bread into small pieces. Mix the bread into the beef mixture, and spread evenly into an oven-proof dish
- Strain the milk that has come from the bread, and add the remaining 1/2 cup of milk. Beat in the eggs, and season with 1/4 teaspoon salt and pepper to taste. Pour this over the meat, and decoratively scatter the bay leaves on top
- Bake, uncovered, at 350℉ fro 45 minutes, or until golden brown. Serve with yellow rice, peas and green salad.
Video
Notes
This is the chutney that we use. You should be able to find it in the international food isles at your grocery store. If not, you can get it on Amazon: https://amzn.to/3JLLFUR We definitely recommend keeping a bottle of chutney around the house. It goes great with chicken liver! Also, if you’re allergic to milk, substitute with beef broth or chicken broth.
