South African Boboejie Bobotie
Experience the vibrant flavors of South African cuisine with this traditional Bobotie recipe, a comforting baked dish that blends savory and sweet elements in perfect harmony. Ground beef or lamb is seasoned with warm spices like curry powder and turmeric, enhanced by the sweetness of grated apple, raisins, and chutney, then topped with a creamy egg custard layer. This classic dish is not only rich in flavor but also carries a touch of history, with its origins rooted in Cape Malay cooking traditions. Easy to prepare in just over an hour, South African Bobotie is perfect for family dinners or cultural-themed gatherings. Serve it warm with fragrant yellow rice or a crisp side salad for a meal that's sure to impress. Keywords: South African Bobotie recipe, traditional Bobotie, Cape Malay cuisine, easy baked dinner, savory-sweet flavors.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 large yellow onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 500 grams ground beef or lamb
- 2 slices white bread
- 375 milliliters milk
- 2 tablespoons curry powder
- 1 teaspoon turmeric
- 2 teaspoons brown sugar
- 1 medium apple, grated
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 50 grams raisins
- 2 tablespoons chutney
- 2 large eggs
- 3 whole 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, and sauté until softened and fragrant, about 5 minutes.
Add the ground beef or lamb to the skillet, breaking it up with a wooden spoon. Cook until browned and fully cooked through, about 8–10 minutes.
In a small bowl, soak the slices of white bread in 250 ml of milk. Once softened, squeeze out the excess milk and crumble the bread into the meat mixture. Reserve the remaining milk for the custard.
Stir in the curry powder, turmeric, brown sugar, grated apple, lemon juice, raisins, and chutney. Cook for another 3–5 minutes to combine the flavors.
Season the mixture with salt and black pepper. Transfer the meat mixture to a greased baking dish, spreading it out evenly.
In another bowl, whisk the eggs with the reserved milk (about 125 ml). Pour this mixture over the beef mixture in the baking dish to form the custard topping.
Gently press the bay leaves into the custard topping for flavor.
Bake the Bobotie in the preheated oven for 35–40 minutes, or until the custard is set and golden brown on top.
Remove from the oven, discard the bay leaves, and let rest for 5 minutes before serving. Serve warm with yellow rice or a side salad.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
533 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 27.3 g | 35% | |
| Saturated Fat | 9.9 g | 49% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 186 mg | 62% | |
| Sodium | 1793 mg | 78% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 37.9 g | 14% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 2.7 g | 9% | |
| Total Sugars | 24.6 g | ||
| Protein | 33.7 g | 67% | |
| Vitamin D | 1.9 mcg | 10% | |
| Calcium | 186 mg | 14% | |
| Iron | 6.4 mg | 36% | |
| Potassium | 701 mg | 15% | |
*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.
