Bobotie
A South African favorite and a tasty one at that. This dish consists of beef mince cooked together with curry and various garnishes like raisins. It is then topped with a savory egg custard and baked. It is not a spicy dish at all, and the curry goes perfectly with the sweetness of the fruit. That said, this dish is not sweet either. This is one of those dishes to try when it is cold out and in my opinion, it’s the perfect comfort food. I bet if you make this once, you will make it again and again. It is that good.
Yield: 6 portions
Time: 1 hour
Difficulty: Intermediate
Ingredients:
2 lb. pure lean ground beef
4 slices of white bread
3 tbsp. medium curry powder
2 onions chopped
2 cloves garlic peeled and chopped
1½ tsp. mixed herbs
4 allspice berries
4 bay leaves
1 oz. butter
½ oz. cannabutter
3 tbsp. mango or peach chutney
2 tbsp. sultana
2 tbsp. raisins
1 cup of milk
For the custard topping:
2 large eggs
1 cup full cream milk
Method:
Heat your oven to 356ﹾ F.
Place the bread into a bowl, pour the cup of milk over it and set aside to soak.
Heat a frying pan over medium to high heat and add in the plain butter.
Add the onions and garlic and cook until they begin to soften and change color.
Add the beef to the pan a handful at a time and break apart any chunks with a spoon or spatula.
Allow the beef to brown a little. It does not have to be browned like a bolognese.
Add in the curry powder, spices and herbs and mix.
Now add in the chutney, sultanas and raisins.
Season with salt and pepper.
Simmer over low heat for about 10 to 15 minutes.
Remove the crusts from the soaking bread and squeeze the milk out.
Beat the bread into the mince and add in the milk that was squeezed out.
Add in the cannabutter and mix well.
Remove from heat and place the meat mixture into an oven-proof dish that is about 2½ inches deep.
Press the mixture down and try to get the top as smooth as you can.
In a mixing bowl add the milk and eggs and beat until combined.
Pour this over the top of the meat mixture.
Place the dish into the oven and bake it for about 40 minutes. It is done when the custard has set and taken on a golden-brown color.
Serve the bobotie alongside rice and various condiments such as chopped fresh tomatoes or chopped banana.
