South African Bobotie

Immerse yourself in the vibrant flavors of South Africa with this classic Bobotie recipe, a comforting and aromatic dish that’s brimming with history and warmth. Perfectly spiced ground beef or lamb is infused with fragrant curry powder, turmeric, and cinnamon, then sweetened with mango chutney and plump raisins for a hint of subtle sweetness. A creamy egg-and-milk custard is poured over the savory meat mixture and baked to golden perfection, creating a beautiful blend of textures. Garnished with bay leaves and traditionally served alongside fluffy yellow rice, this South African Bobotie is an irresistible balance of sweet, savory, and spice. Whether for a family dinner or to explore global cuisine, this dish is sure to impress and transport your taste buds to a world of rich cultural heritage.

Nutriscore Rating: 63/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:50 mins

Total Time:70 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 large onion, finely chopped
• 2 cloves garlic cloves, minced
• 500 grams ground beef or lamb
• 2 teaspoons curry powder
• 1 teaspoon ground turmeric
• 0.5 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon ground coriander
• 1 slice white bread slice
• 250 milliliters milk
• 2 tablespoons mango chutney
• 50 grams raisins
• 2 leaves bay leaf
• 2 large eggs
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 teaspoon black pepper

Directions

Step 1

Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F).

Step 2

Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Sauté the chopped onion and minced garlic until soft and golden, about 5 minutes.

Step 3

Add the ground beef or lamb to the skillet and cook, breaking apart with a spoon, until browned and fully cooked, approximately 8-10 minutes.

Step 4

Stir in curry powder, turmeric, cinnamon, and coriander. Cook for 2 minutes to release the spices' aromas.

Step 5

In a small bowl, soak the white bread slice in half the milk (125 milliliters) until softened. Squeeze out excess milk and tear the bread into small pieces. Reserve the remaining milk for later.

Step 6

Add the soaked bread, mango chutney, raisins, lemon juice, salt, and black pepper to the meat mixture. Stir to combine and let cook for 2 more minutes.

Step 7

Transfer the meat mixture to a greased baking dish and press it down gently to create an even layer.

Step 8

In a separate bowl, whisk together the eggs and the reserved milk. Pour this custard mixture evenly over the meat layer in the baking dish.

Step 9

Place the bay leaves on top of the custard as garnish.

Step 10

Bake in the preheated oven for 35-40 minutes, or until the custard is set and golden on top.

Step 11

Remove from the oven and allow to rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Step 12

Serve warm with yellow rice and a side of chutney for a truly authentic South African meal.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1170.3g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2158.7

Total Fat 144.7g	0%
Saturated Fat 51.1g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.9g
Cholesterol 795.2mg	0%
Sodium 3446.5mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 104.3g	0%
Dietary Fiber 8.3g	0%
Total Sugars 69.0g
Protein 112.2g	0%

Vitamin D 195.4IU	0%
Calcium 624.5mg	0%
Iron 19.8mg	0%
Potassium 2648.8mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 60.1%

Protein: 20.7%

Carbs: 19.2%