Classic Bobotie

Sweet, savoury, and gently spiced, this is a proper South African classic. Always served with rice, always a crowd-pleaser.

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Ingredients

1. Base

• 2 onions, finely chopped

• 15 ml oil

2. Soaked Bread

• 2 slices bread

• 100 ml milk

3. Meat Mixture

• 1 kg beef mince

• Salt and black pepper, to taste

• 80 ml apricot jam

• 40 ml curry powder

• 15 ml turmeric

• 5 ml ground cumin (optional)

• 30 ml vinegar

• 3 bay leaves

4. Topping

• 1 egg

• 60 ml milk

Instructions

Soak the bread in the milk until soft.

In a pan, heat the oil and cook the onions until soft and translucent.

In a large bowl, combine the mince, apricot jam, curry powder, turmeric, cumin (if using), vinegar, salt, and pepper. Mix thoroughly.

Squeeze the excess milk out of the soaked bread and add the bread to the meat mixture, along with the cooked onions. Mix well.

Transfer the mixture into a greased oven dish and press down evenly.

In a small bowl, whisk together the egg and milk and pour this over the meat mixture.

Place the bay leaves on top.

Bake at 190°C for about 60 minutes, until the top is set and golden.

Notes

• You can add raisins or chopped dried apricots for extra sweetness

• Almond flakes can be sprinkled on top before baking

• Serve with rice and vegetables