Bobotie (pronounced ba-boor-tea) is a delicious national South African food that is made from a mixture of curried meat, fruit and creamy golden topping similar to moussaka. Often time bobotie, consist of spiced minced meat baked with an egg-based topping and served with sambal. It is popular in the Cape Malay community (in the Cape of Good Hope) South Africa at which time it was made with a mixture of Mutton Pork.
Ingredients
- 2 slices white bread
- 2 chopped onions
- 25g butter
- 2 garlic cloves, crushed
- 1kg packet lean minced beef
- 2 Tbsp. Madras curry paste
- 1 Tsp. dried mixed herbs
- cloves
- 5 allspice berries
- 2 Tbsp. peach or mango chutney
- 3 Tbsp. sultana
- 6 bay leaves
For the topping
- 300ml full-cream milk
- 2 large eggs
Method
- Heat oven to 180C/fan 160C/gas 4. Pour cold water over the bread and set aside to soak.
- Meanwhile, fry the onions in the butter, stirring regularly for 10 mins until they are soft and starting to colour. Add the garlic and beef and stir well, crushing the mince into fine grains until it changes colour. Stir in the curry paste, herbs, spices, chutney, sultanas and 2 of the bay leaves with 1 Tsp. salt and plenty of ground black pepper.
- Cover and simmer for 10 mins. Squeeze the water from the bread, and then beat into the meat mixture until well blended. Tip into an oval ovenproof dish (23 x 33cm and about 5-6cm deep). Press the mixture down well and smooth the top. You can make this and chill 1 day ahead.
- For the topping, beat the milk and eggs with seasoning, then pour over the meat. Top with the remaining bay leaves and bake for 35-40 mins until the topping is set and starting to turn golden.
SOURCE: bbcgoodfood.com
