Posted on September 01, 2023 by Emily Forbes

If you’ve ever been to South Africa you would likely have come across a dish called Bobotie (pronounced Ba-boor-tea). It’s a national dish of South Africa and in my opinion very yummy, but then I could be biased having been brought up in South Africa with a South African dad. Bobotie was always a good staple in our household and still is. There are a few variations out there but essentially is curried meat (usually mince, but have seen recipes using fish) with fruit, baked with an egg custard top, served with rice and chutney. I always find that it sounds weird to describe and really just needs to be tasted. Today, I share with you my dad’s Bobotie recipe for you to try for yourself.

Ingredients:

  • Beef or lamb mince (1 pack)
  • 1 onion – chopped
  • 2 slices of bread
  • 2 eggs
  • Toasted flaked almonds – 1-2 Tbs (optional) (I don’t think it is traditional to have almonds in, my mum never like it with it in but I always add them now)
  • Sultanas 2-3 Tbs (optional) (Fruit is traditional but as kids we never liked sultanas so they were never added)
  • Milk – enough to cover the bread
  • Curry powder – my suggestion, and the one which is the closet to the South African OG – Bolst’s curry spice hot (it’s not that hot FYI) – approx 1 Tbs (to taste)
  • Rice
  • Mrs. Ball’s chutney or ketchup to serve (Mrs. Ball’s is an iconic condiment in S.A. And a family favourite in most households; my dad will always have Mrs. B. I serve mine with ketchup)

Method:

  • Place the bread in a bowl and just cover with enough milk to soak the bread.
  • Fry the onion in a little oil until soft.
  • Add mince to onion and cook through.
  • Add curry powder.
  • Squeeze out most of the milk from the bread and add to curry mice mix; stir through.
  • Whisk 1 egg adding to mince mix and stir through.
  • In the bowl with the left over milk, whisk in the other egg and add salt and pepper.
  • Add the mince mix to an ovenproof dish, flatten the top and pour the egg custard on top. Bake in the oven until the top is little browned and cooked through.
  • Cook your rice.
  • Serve Bobotie with rice and condiment of chutney or ketchup.

Like I said, I think it sounds weird but I promise it tastes amazing! Why not give it a try?

Emily x