Bobotie

Experience the heart of South African cuisine with Bobotie – a fragrant curried minced meat bake topped with a golden egg custard, offering a perfect balance of savory and sweet.

🥕 Ingredients 
- 500 g / 1 lb ground beef or lamb  
- 2 medium onions (300 g / 10.5 oz), finely chopped  
- 2 slices white bread (60 g / 2 oz), soaked in 125 ml / ½ cup milk  
- 2 tbsp / 30 ml vegetable oil  
- 2 cloves garlic, minced (10 g / 0.35 oz)  
- 1 tbsp / 15 g curry powder  
- 1 tsp / 5 g ground turmeric  
- 1 tsp / 5 g ground coriander  
- 1 tsp / 5 g ground cumin  
- 1 tbsp / 15 g chutney (apricot or peach)  
- 2 tbsp / 30 g fruit jam or fruit chutney (optional for sweetness)  
- 2 tbsp / 30 g raisins or sultanas  
- 2 tbsp / 30 g slivered almonds (optional)  
- 2 tbsp / 30 ml vinegar or lemon juice  
- 2 large eggs (100 g / 3.5 oz)  
- 250 ml / 1 cup milk (for custard topping)  
- Salt and pepper to taste (about 1 tsp / 5 g each)  
- Bay leaves (2–3) for garnish  

🔪 Step-by-Step Cooking Instructions
1. Preheat oven to 180°C / 350°F.  
2. Heat oil in a large skillet, add onions and sauté until golden.  
3. Stir in garlic, curry powder, turmeric, coriander, and cumin; cook for 1–2 minutes until fragrant.  
4. Add ground meat and cook until browned.  
5. Squeeze excess milk from soaked bread, mash, and add to the meat mixture.  
6. Stir in chutney, raisins, almonds, vinegar/lemon juice, salt, and pepper. Simmer for 5 minutes.  
7. Transfer mixture into a greased baking dish.  
8. Beat eggs with milk to make custard topping, then pour evenly over meat.  
9. Place bay leaves on top for aroma.  
10. Bake uncovered for 35–40 minutes until custard is set and golden.  
11. Serve hot with yellow rice and sambals.  

📊 Nutritional Information (per serving, approx. 1/6 of dish)
- Calories: 420 kcal  
- Protein: 26 g  
- Fat: 22 g  
- Carbohydrates: 28 g  
- Fiber: 3 g  
- Sodium: 680 mg  

💡 Helpful Cooking Tips
- Use lamb for a richer flavor, or beef for a lighter taste.  
- Soaking bread in milk ensures a moist texture in the meat base.  
- Adding chutney or jam balances the savory spices with subtle sweetness.  
- For extra depth, toast spices before adding meat.  
- Serve with turmeric rice and a side of chutney for a truly authentic experience.