Bobotie – South African Cape Malay Casserole
Cook Time: 2 hours
Prep Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 2 hours 30 minutes
Description:
This Bobotie recipe is a cherished family tradition from the vibrant cuisine of South Africa’s Cape Malay community. Bursting with exotic flavors and textures, it’s perfect for potluck dinners, where the room temperature serving enhances the fusion of spices and aromas. Your guests will be captivated by the unique taste and beg for the recipe to recreate this culinary adventure at home!
Recipe Category: Meat
Keywords: South African, African, Healthy, Potluck, Oven, < 4 Hours
Nutritional Information (Per Serving):
- Calories: 661.5
- Fat Content: 21.5g
- Saturated Fat Content: 7g
- Cholesterol Content: 219.9mg
- Sodium Content: 455.2mg
- Carbohydrate Content: 77.3g
- Fiber Content: 4.6g
- Sugar Content: 15.2g
- Protein Content: 38.1g
Servings: 6
Ingredients:
| Ingredient | Quantity |
|---|---|
| 1% low-fat milk | 1 cup |
| Lean ground beef | 2 lbs |
| Onion | 1 1/2 |
| Garlic cloves | 1 |
| Curry powder | 2 tbsp |
| Ground turmeric | 1 tbsp |
| Sugar | 1 tbsp |
| Vinegar | 1 tbsp |
| Seedless raisins | 1/4 cup |
| Apple | 1 |
| Water | 1 cup |
| Egg | 1 |
| Eggs | 2 |
| Salt | 1 tsp |
| Ground nutmeg | 1/2 tsp |
| Bay leaves | 3 |
| White rice | 1 cup |
| Banana | 2 |
| Tomatoes | 1 |
| Mango chutney | 1 |
| Coconut | 1 |
Instructions:
-
Soak Bread: Begin by soaking the bread in a cup of milk, then set it aside to absorb the liquid.
-
Brown Beef: In a large non-stick skillet, brown the lean ground beef until it’s thoroughly cooked and nicely browned.
-
Add Aromatics: Add in the finely chopped onions, minced garlic cloves, curry powder, and ground turmeric, and sauté until the onions are soft and translucent, and the spices are fragrant.
-
Enhance Flavor: Stir in the sugar, vinegar, seedless raisins, diced apple, salt, and pepper, combining well to infuse the meat with a symphony of flavors.
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Thicken Sauce: Pour in the water and allow the mixture to gently simmer until it begins to thicken, creating a rich and aromatic gravy-like consistency.
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Cool Mixture: Remove the skillet from heat and let the mixture cool slightly, allowing the flavors to meld together.
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Prepare Bread: Gently squeeze out any excess milk from the soaked bread, reserving the milk for later use in the custard topping. Tear the bread into small chunks and fold them into the meat mixture along with the beaten egg, ensuring everything is evenly distributed.
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Bake Meat Mixture: Transfer the meat mixture into a greased 9 x 9-inch casserole dish, spreading it out evenly, and bake in a preheated oven at 350°F for 15 minutes, until it’s heated through and just beginning to set.
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Cool Completely: Remove the casserole from the oven and allow it to cool completely, ensuring it reaches room temperature before adding the custard topping.
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Prepare Custard Topping: In a separate bowl, beat together the remaining milk, eggs, and salt until well combined, creating a creamy custard mixture.
-
Top and Bake: Gently pour the custard mixture over the cooled meat layer, ensuring it covers the surface evenly. Sprinkle the top with ground nutmeg and arrange bay leaves for a decorative touch. Return the casserole to the oven and bake for an additional 20 to 25 minutes, or until the custard is set and lightly golden.
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Serve: Serve the Bobotie warm, but not hot, or ideally at room temperature, alongside fragrant yellow rice and vibrant sambals. To prepare the rice, cook it as usual but add turmeric and salt to the water for added color and flavor. Once cooked, fluff the rice and toss in some almonds for a delightful crunch. Place the sambals in small serving dishes, allowing guests to customize their plates with these zesty accompaniments.
With its bold flavors, unique textures, and exotic presentation, this Bobotie recipe is sure to be a hit at any gathering, leaving your guests craving more of this South African culinary masterpiece! 🍛🇿🇦
