Bobotie from the Cape

Transport your taste buds to the heart of South Africa with this authentic "Bobotie from the Cape" recipe, a richly spiced and delightfully comforting dish. This traditional Cape Malay classic brings together seasoned lean ground beef, infused with fragrant curry powder, sweet apricot jam, and raisins, for a perfect balance of savory and sweet. Topped with a luscious milk-and-egg custard and baked to golden perfection, this crowd-pleasing casserole is enhanced with crunchy slivered almonds and aromatic bay leaves. Perfectly suited for family dinners or gatherings, this easy-to-follow recipe is a vibrant celebration of South African heritage. Serve it warm with rice and chutney for an unforgettable culinary experience. Keywords: South African bobotie, Cape Malay cuisine, traditional recipes, meat casserole, international dishes.

Nutriscore Rating: 66/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:60 mins

Total Time:80 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 1 large yellow onion, finely chopped
• 2 cloves garlic cloves, minced
• 500 grams lean ground beef
• 2 slices white bread
• 1.5 cups milk
• 1.5 tablespoons curry powder
• 1 teaspoon ground turmeric
• 0.5 teaspoon ground allspice
• 1 tablespoon white vinegar
• 2 teaspoons sugar
• 2 tablespoons apricot jam
• 0.5 cup raisins
• 0.25 cup slivered almonds, toasted
• 3 large eggs
• 1 teaspoons salt
• 0.5 teaspoons ground black pepper
• 4 leaves bay leaves
• 0.5 cup water (for soaking bread)

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F).

Step 2

Soak the slices of bread in 1/2 cup of water until soft, then squeeze out the excess liquid and discard it. Set the bread aside.

Step 3

In a large skillet, heat the vegetable oil over medium heat. Sauté the chopped onion until translucent, about 5 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for 1 more minute.

Step 4

Add the ground beef to the skillet and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until it is browned and cooked through. Drain any excess grease if necessary.

Step 5

In a small mixing bowl, combine the curry powder, ground turmeric, ground allspice, white vinegar, sugar, and apricot jam. Stir this mixture into the cooked beef, mixing well to coat evenly.

Step 6

Crumble the soaked bread into small pieces and mix it into the beef mixture, along with the raisins and slivered almonds.

Step 7

Season the mixture with salt and pepper to taste and transfer it to a greased 9x13-inch (23x33 cm) baking dish, spreading it out evenly.

Step 8

In a medium bowl, whisk together the milk and 2 eggs until smooth. Pour this mixture over the meat mixture in the baking dish, ensuring it covers the top evenly.

Step 9

Gently press the bay leaves into the custard topping for added aroma.

Step 10

Bake in the preheated oven for 40–45 minutes, or until the custard is set and slightly golden on top.

Step 11

Beat the remaining egg and spread it lightly over the top of the custard in the final 10 minutes of baking for a glossy finish.

Step 12

Remove the dish from the oven, let it cool for 5 minutes, and then serve warm.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	1567.6 grams (1567.6g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2173

Total Fat 101.60g	130%
Saturated Fat 30.20g	151%
Polyunsaturated Fat 18.10g
Cholesterol 901mg	300%
Sodium 6403mg	278%
Total Carbohydrate 170.70g	62%
Dietary Fiber 12.20g	44%
Total Sugars 115.30g
Protein 150.20g	300%

Vitamin D 284IU	1420%
Calcium 860mg	66%
Iron 28mg	157%
Potassium 1999mg	43%

*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: 41.6%

Protein: 27.3%

Carbs: 31.1%