Bobotie South African Curried Meat Casserole
Experience the rich, aromatic flavors of South Africa with this Bobotie Curried Meat Casserole, a hearty dish that combines spiced ground beef or lamb with a creamy, golden egg custard topping. Infused with the warmth of mild curry powder, turmeric, and dried herbs, this casserole is a delightful balance of savory and subtly sweet, thanks to juicy raisins and tangy fruit chutney. Softened bread soaked in milk adds a luscious texture, while slivered almonds bring a hint of crunch. Baked to perfection and topped with fragrant bay leaves, Bobotie is an ideal comfort food that’s perfect for family dinners or celebratory meals. Serve it alongside vibrant yellow rice for a truly authentic South African culinary experience.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 large yellow onion, finely chopped
- 500 grams ground beef (or lamb)
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons mild curry powder
- 0.5 teaspoons turmeric
- 1 teaspoon dried mixed herbs (e.g., thyme, oregano, rosemary)
- 2 slices white bread slices, crusts removed
- 250 milliliters milk
- 1 tablespoon white vinegar
- 2 tablespoons chutney (fruit chutney like apricot is recommended)
- 50 grams raisins
- 25 grams almonds, slivered (optional)
- 2 large eggs
- 4 whole leaves bay leaves
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 0.5 teaspoons black pepper
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F).
Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and garlic. Sauté until the onion is soft and translucent, about 5 minutes.
Add the ground beef (or lamb) to the skillet. Cook until the meat is browned and any excess liquid has evaporated, breaking it up with a wooden spoon as it cooks.
Stir in the curry powder, turmeric, dried herbs, salt, and black pepper. Cook for 2 minutes to allow the spices to become fragrant.
In a bowl, soak the bread slices in half (125 ml) of the milk until softened. Squeeze out the excess milk, reserving the milk for later. Break up the bread into small pieces and mix it into the meat mixture.
Add the white vinegar, chutney, raisins, and almonds (if using) to the skillet. Stir everything together and cook for another 2-3 minutes. Remove the skillet from the heat.
Transfer the spiced meat mixture into a greased ovenproof casserole dish and spread it out evenly.
In a separate bowl, whisk together the eggs and the remaining milk (125 ml). Pour this egg mixture evenly over the meat in the casserole dish.
Gently press the bay leaves into the top of the meat mixture for added flavor and presentation.
Bake the casserole in the preheated oven for about 30-35 minutes, or until the egg custard is set and golden brown on top.
Remove the dish from the oven and let it rest for 5 minutes before serving. Discard the bay leaves before eating.
Serve warm with traditional accompaniments like yellow rice, chutney, and a side salad.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
2143 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 131.8 g | 169% | |
| Saturated Fat | 47.8 g | 239% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.2 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 795 mg | 265% | |
| Sodium | 3729 mg | 162% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 123.0 g | 45% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 15.3 g | 55% | |
| Total Sugars | 66.0 g | ||
| Protein | 122.1 g | 244% | |
| Vitamin D | 4.9 mcg | 24% | |
| Calcium | 811 mg | 62% | |
| Iron | 21.2 mg | 118% | |
| Potassium | 3093 mg | 66% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
