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South African Bobotie Recipe Easy Classic with Golden Custard Topping

South African bobotie recipe - featured image
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A comforting South African baked dish featuring spiced minced meat topped with a silky golden custard, blending savory and sweet flavors for a cozy meal.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lb (450 g) ground beef or lamb
  • 1 large onion, finely chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 slices white bread, crusts removed, soaked in ½ cup (120 ml) milk
  • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
  • 1 tablespoon curry powder
  • 1 teaspoon turmeric
  • 1 teaspoon ground coriander
  • 2 teaspoons sugar
  • 2 tablespoons chutney
  • 2 tablespoons lemon juice or vinegar
  • ¼ cup (60 ml) raisins (optional)
  • 2 bay leaves
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • 2 large eggs, beaten
  • 1 cup (240 ml) milk
  • 1 teaspoon turmeric
  • A pinch of salt

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Remove crusts from the bread slices and soak them in ½ cup (120 ml) milk for about 10 minutes. Squeeze out the excess milk gently and set aside the milk for the custard topping later.
  3. Heat 2 tablespoons vegetable oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the finely chopped onion and sauté until translucent, about 5 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
  4. Add the ground meat and cook, stirring occasionally, until browned and cooked through, roughly 8-10 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.
  5. Stir in 1 tablespoon curry powder, 1 teaspoon turmeric, 1 teaspoon coriander, and 2 teaspoons sugar. Cook for 2 minutes to toast the spices.
  6. Tear the soaked bread into small pieces and mix into the meat mixture. Add the reserved milk, 2 tablespoons chutney, 2 tablespoons lemon juice or vinegar, and raisins. Stir well to combine.
  7. Lower the heat and let the mixture cook gently for 5 minutes. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
  8. Spoon the bobotie mixture into an ovenproof baking dish and smooth the top with a spatula. Place 2 bay leaves on top, pressing them slightly into the mixture.
  9. In a bowl, whisk together 2 beaten eggs, 1 cup (240 ml) milk, 1 teaspoon turmeric, a pinch of salt, and the milk reserved from soaking the bread. Pour this mixture evenly over the meat in the baking dish.
  10. Bake for 35-40 minutes until the custard topping is set and golden brown.
  11. Let the bobotie rest for 10 minutes before serving.

Notes

If the custard starts to brown too quickly, loosely cover the dish with foil halfway through baking to prevent burning. Use the milk from soaked bread in the custard for richer flavor. Remove bay leaves before serving. For gluten-free, substitute bread with gluten-free breadcrumbs or bread. For dairy-free, use coconut milk and flaxseed egg substitute.

Nutrition

Keywords: South African bobotie, bobotie recipe, golden custard topping, spiced mince casserole, comfort food, traditional South African dish

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