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Bobotie in a white serving dish.
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5 from 8 votes

Easy Bobotie

A delicious and comforting South African bobotie recipe, made with curried minced beef, fruit, and a savoury egg custard topping, which is baked in the oven until golden.
Course Main Course
Cuisine South African
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings 4
Calories 590kcal
Author Beth Sachs

Equipment

  • Kitchen Scales
  • Chopping Board
  • Knife
  • Frying Pan
  • Oven Proof Baking Dish
  • Measuring Jug
  • Whisk

Ingredients

Metric - US Customary
  • 1 Slice of White Bread
  • 100 ml Milk reserve the milk for the topping
  • 20 g Butter
  • 1 Onion finely chopped
  • 2 Garlic Cloves finely chopped
  • 500 g Minced Beef
  • 2 tablespoon Tikka Curry Paste
  • ½ teaspoon Cumin
  • 1 Green Apple grated
  • 2 tablespoon Mango Chutney
  • 1 teaspoon Worcestershire Sauce
  • 2 Bay Leaves
  • ½ teaspoon Salt

For the topping

  • 2 Eggs large
  • 150 ml Double Cream
  • ⅛ teaspoon Nutmeg grated
  • Reserved milk from above

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 180°C (160 fan/ Gas 4/ 350F).
  • Soak the bread in milk in a shallow bowl.
    1 Slice of White Bread, 100 ml Milk
  • Meanwhile, heat the butter in a frying pan and fry the onions and garlic on a medium heat for 5 minutes until soft.
    20 g Butter, 1 Onion, 2 Garlic Cloves
  • Add in the minced beef and cook until it has changed colour.
    500 g Minced Beef
  • Mix in the curry paste, cumin, grated apple, mango chutney, Worcestershire sauce, bay leaves, and salt. Simmer for 5 minutes.
    2 tablespoon Tikka Curry Paste, ½ teaspoon Cumin, 1 Green Apple, 2 tablespoon Mango Chutney, 1 teaspoon Worcestershire Sauce, 2 Bay Leaves, ½ teaspoon Salt
  • Squeeze the milk from the slice of bread, being careful to reserve this milk as you will need it for the topping, and add it to the minced beef. Stir thoroughly until the bread is combined into the beef mince.
    1 Slice of White Bread
  • Spoon the mixture into an oven-proof baking dish and pack down firmly with the back of a spoon.
  • In a jug, whisk together the eggs, cream, nutmeg, and reserved milk and pour it onto the beef mixture. Bake in the oven for 30 minutes until the topping is golden and set. Garnish with extra bay leaves if you like.
    2 Eggs, 150 ml Double Cream, ⅛ teaspoon Nutmeg, Reserved milk from above

Notes

Top Tips:
  • Pack down the beef mixture: When you're layering the beef mixture and custard topping, make sure to pack down the beef mixture firmly into the baking dish. This will ensure that the custard stays on top of the dish and doesn't sink to the bottom during baking.
  • Prepare the beef mixture ahead of time: To save time on the day of cooking, consider preparing the beef mixture ahead of time. Let it cool down completely before transferring it to an airtight container and storing it in the fridge. You can also freeze the curried beef mince if you want to make it even further in advance.
  • Use good quality spices: The key to a delicious bobotie is in the spices. Make sure to use good quality curry powder to give your dish a great flavour.
 
Variations:
  • Double the recipe: If you're feeding a crowd, simply double the recipe to ensure everyone gets a generous serving.
  • Add dried fruit: For an extra burst of sweetness and texture, add a handful of chopped dried apricots or raisins to the beef mixture before baking.
  • Garnish with pine nuts: Toasted pine nuts add a satisfying crunch and nutty flavour to the dish. Sprinkle them over the top of the baked bobotie before serving.
  • Add some heat: To make the dish spicier, use hot curry powder and add a chopped red chilli with the onion and garlic.
  • Use lamb instead: Bobotie can also be made with ground lamb (minced lamb) instead of beef. Lamb adds a unique flavour to the dish and pairs well with the sweet and savoury spices.
  • Vegetarian option: If you are vegetarian or looking for a meat-free alternative, swap the minced beef with lentils or Quorn mince. Add some extra veggies like sweet potato, butternut squash or carrot to the mixture for more flavour and texture.
  • Feta cheese: For a twist on the traditional recipe, try adding crumbled feta cheese to the beef mixture before baking. This will add a creamy, tangy flavour to the dish.
 
Storage:
Store - leftover bobotie can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Make sure the dish has cooled down to room temperature before storing.
Reheat - preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F) and place the dish in the oven for 15-20 minutes, or until heated through. You can also reheat individual portions in the microwave until hot.
Freeze - it's best to freeze the beef mince only as the egg topping will change texture upon freezing. The beef mince can be frozen for up to 3 months. Defrost in the fridge before adding the egg topping and baking.
 
Nutrition:
The nutritional information provided is approximate and is calculated using online tools. Information can vary depending on various factors, but we have endeavoured to be as accurate as possible.
 
Nutrition Facts
Easy Bobotie
Amount per Serving
Calories
590
% Daily Value*
Fat
 
44
g
68
%
Saturated Fat
 
20
g
125
%
Trans Fat
 
2
g
Polyunsaturated Fat
 
2
g
Monounsaturated Fat
 
16
g
Cholesterol
 
224
mg
75
%
Sodium
 
451
mg
20
%
Potassium
 
552
mg
16
%
Carbohydrates
 
20
g
7
%
Fiber
 
2
g
8
%
Sugar
 
12
g
13
%
Protein
 
27
g
54
%
Vitamin A
 
746
IU
15
%
Vitamin C
 
6
mg
7
%
Calcium
 
112
mg
11
%
Iron
 
4
mg
22
%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
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