Bobotie is a traditional South African meatloaf dish that combines sweet and savory flavors in a harmonious blend. It features a spiced ground beef filling encased in a creamy, eggy custard topping, all baked to perfection. The aromatic blend of spices, including curry, turmeric, and cumin, infuses the meat with a delightful warmth, while the custard topping adds a rich and creamy texture. Bobotie is often served with traditional South African side dishes such as yellow rice, sambal, and chutney, creating a vibrant and flavorful meal. This article presents two variations of the classic bobotie recipe: a traditional version and a modern twist with a sweet potato crust. Additionally, it includes a vegan bobotie recipe for those seeking a plant-based alternative. Each recipe is explained with step-by-step instructions and helpful tips to ensure a successful and delicious outcome.
Check out the recipes below so you can choose the best recipe for yourself!
BEST BOBOTIE
This South African original is similar to meatloaf, but so much better. A slightly sweet curry flavors ground beef with a milk and egg custard on top. It's delicious!
Provided by trixie
Categories World Cuisine Recipes African
Time 1h55m
Yield 4
Number Of Ingredients 14
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish.
- Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook the onions in the hot oil until soft. Break the ground beef into the skillet and cook until brown.
- Place the milk in a shallow dish. Soak the bread in the milk. Squeeze the excess milk from the bread. Set the milk aside. Add the bread to the beef mixture. Stir in the raisins, apricot jam, chutney, curry powder, salt, and black pepper. Pour the mixture into the prepared baking dish.
- Bake in the preheated oven 1 hour.
- While the bobotie bakes, whisk together the reserved milk, egg, and a pinch of salt. Pour over top of the dish. Lay the bay leaf onto the top of the milk mixture.
- Return the bobotie to the oven until the top is golden brown, 25 to 30 minutes. Remove bay leaf before serving.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 767.2 calories, Carbohydrate 34.2 g, Cholesterol 196.1 mg, Fat 55.2 g, Fiber 2.4 g, Protein 34.3 g, SaturatedFat 20.7 g, Sodium 831.3 mg, Sugar 20.3 g
SOUTH AFRICAN BOBOTIE
A classic South African entree. While not particularly spicy, the dish has complex flavors with the sweetness of raisins contrasting the curry. Serve with yellow rice.
Provided by Michelle
Categories World Cuisine Recipes African
Time 1h30m
Yield 6
Number Of Ingredients 15
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
- Heat oil in a skillet over medium-high heat; add onion and saute until browned, about 5 minutes. Add ground beef to onion and saute until browned, about 5 minutes.
- Soak bread in 1/4 cup milk in a small bowl, mash, and add to ground beef mixture; stir in 1/2 of beaten egg, raisins, vinegar, sugar, turmeric, salt, curry powder, and ground black pepper.
- Transfer beef mixture to glass baking dish; insert bay leaves.
- Bake in preheated oven for 30 minutes. Whisk remaining 1/2 egg and remaining 1/4 cup milk together in a small bowl; pour over meat mixture and return to oven for 30 minutes.
- Serve with chutney.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 230.1 calories, Carbohydrate 14.5 g, Cholesterol 74.8 mg, Fat 12.5 g, Fiber 1.2 g, Protein 15.1 g, SaturatedFat 4.4 g, Sodium 467.3 mg, Sugar 9.7 g
BOBOTIE (SOUTH AFRICAN MEATLOAF)
Not your regular meatloaf! This sweet and savory loaf is enhanced with the textures of raisins and almonds and the spiciness of curry. Pleasantly different. If using high quality curry, use 1 1/2 tablespoons; most store bought curries are not as flavorful so use more. If looking for more sweetness, try adding apricot preserves or a fruit chutney.
Provided by Kerrijoi
Categories Main Dish Recipes Meatloaf Recipes Beef Meatloaf Recipes
Time 1h25m
Yield 8
Number Of Ingredients 17
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease a large baking dish.
- Melt butter in a skillet over medium heat. Cook and stir onion in melted butter until browned, 5 to 7 minutes.
- Combine 2 eggs, 1 cup milk, oats, raisins, almonds, vinegar, curry powder, sugar, salt, turmeric, and black pepper in a large bowl. Add onions and ground beef; mix well. Spread the beef evenly into the prepared baking dish; top with bay leaves.
- Bake in preheated oven for 30 minutes. Remove from oven and drain excess fat from the beef.
- Beat 1 egg and 1/4 cup milk together in a bowl; pour over the beef mixture.
- Continue baking in oven until the top is beginning to brown, about 30 minute more. Remove and discard bay leaves to serve.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 398.8 calories, Carbohydrate 25.5 g, Cholesterol 150.1 mg, Fat 20.4 g, Fiber 3 g, Protein 28.5 g, SaturatedFat 7.7 g, Sodium 705.7 mg, Sugar 13 g
BOBOTIE (SOUTH AFRICAN CURRY MEAT LOAF)
"The dried fruit in this curried South African meat loaf offsets its cayenne spiciness, while its almond crust adds a crunchy counterpoint to the tender ground meat." - Saveur
Provided by rpgaymer
Categories Meatloaf
Time 1h20m
Yield 4-6 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 17
Steps:
- Heat oven to 350°F.
- Combine tea, raisins, and apricots in a bowl; let sit for 30 minutes. Drain, and reserve 1/3 cup soaking liquid; set both aside.
- Heat oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add garlic and onion; cook until lightly caramelized, about 8 minutes. Add turmeric, coriander, cayenne, cumin, fenugreek, pepper, fennel, and salt; cook until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add reserved soaked fruit and soaking liquid and vinegar; cook until almost all liquid evaporates, about 2 minutes.
- Remove from heat and transfer to a large bowl; add beef, and mix until evenly combined. Transfer meat mixture to a foil-lined baking sheet, and shape into an 8″ × 4″ loaf; press almonds over top of meat loaf, and bake until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the center of the meat loaf reads 160F, about 40 minutes.
SOUTH AFRICAN CURRIED LAMB MEATLOAF
Categories Milk/Cream Egg Bake Quick & Easy Raisin Apple Ground Lamb Almond Curry Gourmet
Yield Makes 6 servings
Number Of Ingredients 19
Steps:
- Soak bread crumbs in milk in a small bowl until very soft, about 15 minutes, then drain in a sieve set over a bowl, lightly pressing to remove excess milk. Reserve milk.
- Put oven rack in middle position and preheat oven to 350°F. Butter baking dish.
- Cook onions, apple, and 1/4 teaspoon salt in butter in a 12-inch heavy skillet over moderately low heat, stirring occasionally, until onions and apple are softened, about 12 minutes (do not brown). Add raisins, almonds, curry powder, and sugar and cook, stirring, 1 minute, then remove from heat. Lightly beat 1 egg in a large bowl, then add bread crumbs, lamb or beef, raisin mixture, lemon juice and zest, 1 1/4 teaspoons salt, and pepper and blend with your hands until combined well; do not overmix. Spread meat mixture evenly in baking dish and bake 30 minutes.
- While meatloaf bakes, whisk together remaining 2 eggs, reserved milk, and remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt.
- Pour off excess fat from meatloaf (still in baking dish). Pour egg mixture over meatloaf (much of egg will fill space that has formed around meatloaf), then return to oven and bake until custard is just set, about 15 minutes more.
Tips:
- Use a flavorful mince: Ground beef or lamb is commonly used, but you can also use a combination of meats for a more complex flavor. Ensure the mince has a good fat content for a moist and juicy bobotie.
- Don't skimp on the spices: Bobotie is all about the spices! Use a generous amount of turmeric, curry powder, paprika, and cumin to give it that characteristic flavor. You can also add a pinch of cayenne pepper for a bit of heat.
- Use fresh ingredients: Freshly grated onion, garlic, and ginger will give your bobotie the best flavor. If you don't have fresh ginger, you can use ground ginger, but use half the amount as it is more concentrated.
- Don't overcook the meat: The meat should be cooked until just done, otherwise it will become dry and tough. You can check if it's done by inserting a meat thermometer into the center of the loaf. It should read 165°F (74°C).
- Let the bobotie rest before slicing: Once the bobotie is cooked, let it rest for at least 10 minutes before slicing. This will allow the juices to redistribute and make it easier to cut.
Conclusion:
Bobotie is a delicious and versatile dish that is perfect for any occasion. It can be served as a main course, or as part of a buffet. It's also a great way to use up leftover meat. With its unique blend of spices and flavors, bobotie is sure to be a hit with your family and friends. So next time you're looking for a new and exciting dish to try, give bobotie a try!
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