Bobotie South African Spiced Meat Casserole

Name: Bobotie South African Spiced Meat Casserole
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 50 min
Total time: 1 h 20 min
Yield: 6 servings
Ingredients: 2 slices white bread; 500 ml whole milk; 1 large onion, chopped; 3 cloves garlic, minced; 1 tbsp fresh ginger, grated; 2 tbsp mild curry powder; 1 tsp turmeric; 4 leaves bay leaves; 2 tbsp apricot jam; 50 g raisins; 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar; 3 large eggs; 30 g flaked almonds (optional); 2 tbsp vegetable oil; 1 tsp salt; 0.5 tsp ground black pepper

Difficulty

medium

Time

1h 20m

Price Category

average

Calories

Medium

Bobotie is an iconic South African dish, featuring a rich, spiced minced meat base with sweet and sour notes, baked to golden perfection under a creamy egg custard topping. This casserole is perfect with its unique flavor profile and hearty nature, guaranteed to enchant your taste buds. Spices like curry and turmeric add depth, while raisins and apricot jam introduce a touch of sweetness. Prepare this special dish and journey to the flavors of South Africa right in your own kitchen!

Steps

Preparation

Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F). Soak the bread slices in 125 ml of milk, then squeeze out any excess milk and set aside. Reserve the milk.

Cook Meat Base

In a large pan over medium heat, warm the oil. Add the chopped onion and sauté until translucent, about 5-7 minutes. Add the minced garlic and grated ginger, cooking for another 1 minute until fragrant. Add the ground beef and brown it, breaking it up with a spoon, for about 8-10 minutes. Drain any excess fat.

Season and Flavor

Stir in the curry powder, turmeric, salt, and pepper into the meat, cooking for 1 minute. Add the squeezed bread, apricot jam, raisins, apple cider vinegar, and 2 bay leaves. Mix well and cook for another 5 minutes to allow the flavors to meld. Remove from heat and transfer the mixture to an oven-safe baking dish.

Egg Custard Topping

In a bowl, whisk the eggs with the remaining 375 ml of milk. Stir in a pinch of turmeric for color and season with salt and pepper. Pour the egg mixture evenly over the meat base. Place the remaining 2 bay leaves on top of the custard for garnish, and sprinkle with flaked almonds if using.

Bake and Serve

Bake in the preheated oven for 40-50 minutes, or until the custard is golden brown and set. Let it rest for 5-10 minutes before serving. Serve hot, traditionally with yellow rice and chutney.

	Per 100g	Per Serving 250g
Calories	280 kcal	700 kcal
Protein	18g	45g
Fat	18g	45g
Carbohydrate	12g	30g
Fiber	1g	2.5g
Sugar	6g	15g

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beef

baked

everyday

main course

creamy

African

all seasons

Hot

Bobotie South African Spiced Meat Casserole

Difficulty

Time

Price Category

Calories

ingredients

Steps

Preparation

Cook Meat Base

Season and Flavor

Egg Custard Topping

Bake and Serve

Extra Tips

► Bobotie tastes even better when made a day in advance and reheated before serving, allowing the flavors to meld.

► Serve with rice and a fresh tomato and cucumber salad to balance the rich flavors.

► If you like a bit of heat, add a pinch of cayenne pepper or fresh chili to the meat base.

Nutrition