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Authentic South African bobotie in a cast iron pan.

South African Bobotie

Carne Diem Culinary
Bobotie is the National Dish of South Africa. Flavorful ground beef is seasoned with curry, mango chutney, herbs and spices, and raisins, and then topped with an egg custard and baked to perfection.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 55 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine African, South African
Servings 6
Calories 408 kcal

Equipment

  • Cast iron pan or oven safe dish

Ingredients
  

  • 1 Pound Ground Beef
  • 1 Yellow Onion diced
  • 2 Tablespoons Butter
  • 2 Garlic Cloves minced
  • 2 slices White Bread
  • ½ Cup Milk
  • 1 Tablespoon Curry Powder
  • ½ teaspoon Turmeric
  • ½ teaspoon Cumin
  • 1 teaspoon Thyme
  • 1 teaspoon Oregano
  • ½ teaspoon Marjoram
  • ¼ teaspoon Black Pepper
  • ¼ teaspoon Salt
  • ⅓ Cup Major Grey Chutney
  • 2 Tablespoons Raisins
  • 1 Lemon Juiced and zested

Egg Custard Topping

  • 2 Eggs
  • ¼ Cup Heavy Cream
  • ¼ Cup Milk
  • 3 Bay Leaves
  • Salt to taste
  • black pepper to taste

Instructions
 

  • In a cast iron pan or skillet melt the butter over medium heat.
  • Remove the crust from the bread slices and tear the bread into small pieces. Soak the bread a small bowl with the ½ cup milk.
  • Saute the diced onion for 3-5 minutes, until soft then add the garlic and cook for an additional 2 minutes.
  • Add in the curry powder, turmeric, cumin, salt and pepper, and stir well to combine. Cook for about 1 minute.
  • Add the beef, herbs, and raisins and cook until the ground beef is just cooked through. Drain any fat and remove the meat mixture from the stove. Stir in the soaked bread and milk, chutney, lemon zest and 2 tablespoon of lemon juice. Stir well to combine and break up the bread.
  • Taste and adjust the salt, pepper, and lemon juice as desired.
  • If using a cast iron pan, smooth the meat mixture into a smooth layer in the pan, or if you used a skillet that is not oven proof, spread the curried meat mixture into an oven safe dish.
  • Preheat your oven or smoker to 350 degrees.
  • Mix together the eggs, heavy cream, ¼ cup of milk and salt and pepper, to taste, in a small bowl. Evenly pour the egg mixture over the top of the seasoning beef mixture. Top with the Bay leaves.
  • Bake the bobotie for 20 minutes uncovered, then rotate 180 degrees and bake an additional 20 minutes or until the egg topping is set and lightly browned.

Nutrition

Calories: 408kcalCarbohydrates: 28gProtein: 18gFat: 25gSaturated Fat: 12gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 9gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 133mgSodium: 262mgPotassium: 432mgFiber: 2gSugar: 13gVitamin A: 433IUVitamin C: 14mgCalcium: 115mgIron: 3mg
Keyword beef, chutney, Curry, egg, lemon, raisins, Turmeric
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