Experience the rich and aromatic delight of Bobotie, a classic South African dish featuring spiced minced meat crowned with a luscious egg custard, baked to perfection. Try our authentic recipe for a mouthwatering taste of South Africa's culinary heritage

Bobotie:

Ingredients:

• 500g (1 lb) ground beef or lamb
• 1 large onion, finely chopped
• 2-3 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 2 slices white bread, soaked in milk
• 2 tablespoons curry powder (adjust to your spice preference)
• 1 tablespoon ground cumin
• 1 tablespoon ground coriander
• 1 teaspoon ground turmeric
• 1 teaspoon ground ginger
• 2 tablespoons chutney or apricot jam
• 2 tablespoons white vinegar
• 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
• 2 tablespoons raisins or sultanas
• 2 tablespoons slivered almonds (optional)
• Salt and pepper to taste
• For the Egg Custard Topping:
• 2 large eggs
• 1 cup milk
• A pinch of ground nutmeg
• A pinch of salt

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F).
2. In a large skillet or frying pan, heat the vegetable oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onions and sauté until they become soft and translucent.
3. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional minute until fragrant.
4. Add the ground beef or lamb to the pan and cook until browned and cooked through. Break up any large clumps of meat with a spatula as it cooks.
5. While the meat is cooking, squeeze the excess milk from the soaked bread, and crumble it into the pan with the cooked meat.
6. Add the curry powder, ground cumin, ground coriander, ground turmeric, and ground ginger to the pan. Stir well to combine the spices with the meat mixture.
7. Mix in the chutney or apricot jam, white vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, raisins or sultanas, and slivered almonds (if using). Season with salt and pepper to taste. Let the mixture simmer for a few minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
8. Transfer the meat mixture to a greased ovenproof dish, spreading it out evenly.
9. In a separate bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, ground nutmeg, and a pinch of salt for the egg custard topping.
10. Pour the egg custard mixture over the meat mixture in the ovenproof dish.
11. Bake the Bobotie in the preheated oven for about 30-40 minutes, or until the egg custard is set and lightly golden on top.
12. Remove the Bobotie from the oven and let it rest for a few minutes before serving.

Serve the Bobotie with yellow rice, chutney, and sliced bananas for a complete and satisfying South African meal. Enjoy the unique blend of flavors and textures that make Bobotie a beloved dish!