Best 8 South African Bobotie Recipes

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Bobotie, a traditional South African dish, is a delectable fusion of Cape Malay and Dutch culinary influences, resulting in a symphony of sweet and savory flavors and a unique aromatic profile. This dish, with its modest beginnings as a humble dish created by slaves, has evolved into a national treasure, celebrated and enjoyed by people from all walks of life. Bobotie typically consists of spiced minced meat, usually beef or lamb, layered with a creamy, custard-like egg mixture and baked until golden brown. The fragrant blend of spices, including turmeric, cumin, and coriander, tantalizes the taste buds, while the creamy custard topping adds a touch of richness and depth. Bobotie is often served with yellow rice and sambals, providing a colorful and flavorful accompaniment. This article presents three variations of this beloved dish: a classic bobotie, a vegetarian bobotie with lentils, and a bobotie bake with a crispy phyllo pastry topping. Each recipe offers a unique interpretation of this iconic dish, catering to diverse preferences and dietary choices. Explore the culinary journey of bobotie and indulge in the vibrant flavors that have made it a cherished part of South African cuisine.

Let's cook with our recipes!

SOUTH AFRICAN SHEPHERD'S PIE (BOBOTIE)



South African Shepherd's Pie (Bobotie) image

When it comes to homey, tasty comfort food, it doesn't get better than this. Bobotie is a South African classic similar to shepherd's pie--a casserole layered with sweet and spicy ground meat topped with an egg custard in lieu of the Western mashed potatoes. I like to use a meatball combo of beef, pork, and veal (1/3 of each), my own spice blend, and red currant jelly for a rich flavor. Oh, and making these in individual ramekins makes it easier to bake them off in a water bath, which gives a creamy, custardy texture to the egg topping (instead of a quiche-like one).

Provided by Aliya LeeKong

Categories     main-dish

Time 1h15m

Yield 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 25

1 slice white bread or brioche
2/3 cup milk
2 to 3 tablespoons canola oil
1 large yellow onion, finely chopped
Kosher salt
1 to 2 green chilies (jalapeno or serrano), seeds removed if desired, chopped
1/4 teaspoon minced ginger
3 to 4 garlic cloves, minced
1/2 teaspoon turmeric
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon ground coriander
1/2 teaspoon hot Hungarian paprika
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1/4 teaspoon ground garam masala
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
6 ounces ground beef
6 ounces ground pork
6 ounce ground veal
4 tablespoons red currant or apricot preserves
2 tablespoons malt vinegar
1 plum tomato, seeds removed, flesh roughly chopped
4 eggs, beaten
3/4 cup heavy cream
Large pinch salt
Chives, sliced, for garnish

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
  • Place bread in a bowl and cover with milk. Let sit until ready to use, turning if necessary to make sure the entire piece of bread is soaked.
  • Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add oil and then the onions, chilies, and ginger with a bit of salt to draw out the moisture. Saute for 4 to 5 minutes, until the onions are translucent. Add in the garlic and spices and saute for another 30 seconds to a minute, until the garlic is fragrant. (If necessary, add a bit of water to slow the cooking down.)
  • Increase the heat to medium-high and push the vegetables aside a bit. Combine the different ground meats if necessary and add the ground meat and brown for 3 to 4 minutes. You can add a drizzle of canola oil if your pan is looking very dry. You want to develop color and deepen the flavor of the ground meat. Using a wooden spoon or a spatula, break up the meat with the onions and spices to mix. Add the preserves, malt vinegar, and tomato and season with salt. Lower heat and simmer uncovered for 15 to 20 minutes for all of the flavors to meld. Taste and adjust seasoning.
  • Transfer mixture to a bowl using a slotted spoon and let cool briefly. Wring out excess milk from the bread and add to the meat mixture. Mix thoroughly, breaking up the bread, and season if necessary. Fill 4 (10-ounce) ramekins 3/4 full with meat mixture and place ramekins in a roasting pan or baking dish.
  • Combine eggs, heavy cream, and pinch of salt and pour to fill ramekins to the top.
  • You want to bake these in a water bath, so fill the roasting pan or baking dish with boiling water until it comes at least halfway up the sides of the ramekins (see Cook's Notes).
  • Cook at 350 degrees F for 25 to 30 minutes or until the custard is set. You want the custard to be supple, so don't overcook or it turns into an omelet topping. If it jiggles a bit in the center, that's fine. Just let it sit in the water bath once you've taken it out of the oven to firm up a bit.
  • Let cool for a few minutes before serving. Serve in the ramekins topped with chopped chives.

BOBOTIE (SOUTH AFRICAN MEATLOAF)



Bobotie (South African Meatloaf) image

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

1 tablespoon butter
2 onions, diced
2 eggs
1 cup milk
1 cup old-fashioned oats
¾ cup golden raisins
¼ cup slivered almonds
2 tablespoons vinegar
2 tablespoons curry powder, or to taste
1 tablespoon white sugar
2 teaspoons salt
¾ teaspoon ground turmeric
¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
2 pounds lean ground beef
4 bay leaves, or more to taste
1 egg
¼ cup milk

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

SOUTH AFRICAN BOBOTIE



South African Bobotie image

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

1 tablespoon oil, or as needed
1 onion, chopped
1 pound ground beef
½ slice bread
½ cup milk, divided
1 egg, beaten, divided
¼ cup seedless raisins
1 tablespoon white vinegar
2 teaspoons white sugar
1 teaspoon ground turmeric
1 teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon curry powder
¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
2 bay leaves
1 ½ tablespoons chutney

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 CURRY MEAT LOAF)



Bobotie (South African Curry Meat Loaf) image

"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

1 cup unsweetened black tea, hot
1/2 cup raisins
1/2 cup dried apricot, chopped
2 tablespoons canola oil
2 garlic cloves, finely chopped
1 yellow onion, peeled & finely chopped
2 teaspoons ground turmeric
2 teaspoons ground coriander
1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon ground fenugreek
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
1/2 teaspoon ground fennel
1 teaspoon sea salt
2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
1 lb lean ground beef
1/4 cup sliced almonds

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 BOBOTIE



South African Bobotie image

This is a delicious, wholesome favorite from my home country, South Africa. You can find a lot of different variations, but this is the one I like the most! I got a similar recipe from a nutritionist I saw who recommended I eat lower GI meals. This is slightly tweaked, but still healthy and with a low GI.

Provided by Jezagerm

Categories     Curries

Time 1h20m

Yield 6 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 17

1 teaspoon olive oil
2 onions, sliced
2 garlic cloves, crushed
1 lb ground beef
5 teaspoons curry powder
1 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons chutney
1 tablespoon apricot jam
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1 teaspoon turmeric
2 tablespoons vinegar
4 tablespoons oat bran
1 (14 ounce) can lentils, drained
1/2 cup sultanas or 1/2 cup raisins
2 eggs
1 cup nonfat milk
3 bay leaves

Steps:

  • Preheat the over to 350°F.
  • Heat the oil in a saucepan and fry the onions and garlic until soft.
  • Add the meat and cook until brown, drain if necessary.
  • Add the curry, salt, apricot jelly, chutney, Worcestershire sauce, turmeric and vinegar. Mix well.
  • Add the lentils, sultanas and oat bran, mix, and allow to simmer for a few minutes. Remove from heat.
  • Add one egg to meat, mix well and spoon into a greased over-proof dish. Smooth the tops so it is level.
  • Add the other egg, a pinch of turmeric and a pinch of salt to the milk. Mix, and then pour that over the top of the meat.
  • Place 3 or 4 bay leaves on top and bake uncovered for about 60 minutes.
  • Serve over rice.

SOUTH AFRICAN BOBOTIE



South African Bobotie image

Adapted from the Afi Chef website. Posting for ZWT 4. This lacks the fruit that is common in a lot of Bobotie recipes and is the reason I was attracted to it in the first place. It has a nice light curry flavour and a hint of sweetness.

Provided by Sarah

Categories     Savory Pies

Time 1h5m

Yield 4 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 16

500 g beef, minced
2 eggs
2 slices white bread, stale with crusts removed
water
1 onion, thinly sliced
2 tablespoons cooking oil
2 tablespoons hot water
2 tablespoons sugar
2 tablespoons lemon juice
2 teaspoons curry powder
1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
1 teaspoon garlic, crushed
1 teaspoon turmeric
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 egg, lightly beaten
1/2 cup milk

Steps:

  • Pre heat oven to 160°C.
  • Soak bread in water for around 10 minutes, remove and squeeze excess water and tear into small pieces.
  • Add 2 eggs to a large bowl and whisk. Add mince and mix to combine. Set aside.
  • In a large frying pan, heat oil and fry onion until golden in colour.
  • Add onion mixture to mince along with crumbled bread, hot water, sugar, lemon juice, curry powder, cloves, garlic, turmeric and salt. Mix to combine all ingredients.
  • Spoon mixture into a greased, oven proof dish and cook in oven uncovered for 40 minutes, remove from oven.
  • Combine topping ingredients and pour over bobotie. Place back in oven and cook for another 10 minutes. Or until topping is set.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 396.5, Fat 31.7, SaturatedFat 11, Cholesterol 171.1, Sodium 432.9, Carbohydrate 18.8, Fiber 1.4, Sugar 8.4, Protein 9.5

SOUTH AFRICAN SHEPHERD'S PIE (BOBOTIE)



South African Shepherd's Pie (Bobotie) image

My version of a South African casserole. A super flavourful twist on classic Canadian shepherd's pie. Total comfort food - Great for cold days and every other day of the year!

Provided by Qyss796

Categories     Meat

Time 1h5m

Yield 1 Casserole, 2-4 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 14

1 tablespoon cooking oil (i use coconut)
1 piece white bread
1 cup diced onion
2 garlic cloves
1 tablespoon curry powder
1 1/2 tablespoons apricot jam
2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
1 teaspoon turmeric
1 tablespoon white vinegar
1 lb ground beef
1 large egg
2/3 cup milk
1 large egg
1 teaspoon turmeric

Steps:

  • Place slice of white bread in a bowl and cover with milk (enough to saturate) and set aside.
  • Heat cooking oil in frying pan. Add onions and garlic to pan and sauté. In small bowl, stir together curry, jam, worchestershire, turmeric then add to pan.
  • Add ground beef and stir until lightly browned, then remove from heat.
  • Drain excess milk from bread and mash with one egg. Add to beef and mix well. Press mixture into casserole dish.
  • Topping:.
  • In small bowl, combine milk, 1 egg, and remaining turmeric. Pour over casserole (do not mix in).
  • Place in 350° oven for 45 minutes or until topping is golden (1 hour if doubled).
  • Serve over rice. I add a Tsp of turmeric to my rice while cooking to complement the casserole :).

Nutrition Facts : Calories 801.3, Fat 49.7, SaturatedFat 17.9, Cholesterol 351.6, Sodium 392.5, Carbohydrate 33, Fiber 3.3, Sugar 11.4, Protein 53.8

BOBOTIE, SOUTH AFRICAN LAMB



BOBOTIE, SOUTH AFRICAN LAMB image

Categories     Soup/Stew     Lamb     Stew

Yield 6-8 people

Number Of Ingredients 16

vegetable oil
2 or 3 onions chopped fine
4 large garlic cloves chopped fine
8 tsp curry powder
4 tsp turmeric powder
4 tbs tomato paste
2 pounds lean ground lamb (or beef if you prefer)
20 bay leaves
salt,pepper, cayenne to taste
12-14 oz seedless raisins (both gold and brown)
8 canned peach halves or equivalent apricot halves or both (reserve juice)
4 heaping tbs. fruit chutney
8 oz thin sliced almonds
4 slices white bread
16-20 oz milk
6-8 eggs, beaten with scant milk

Steps:

  • In a large skillet: 1. Saute onion in oil until translucent, then add garlic 2. Add curry and turmeric 3. Add tomato paste, sweating off a bit 4. Add lamb and cook for 20 minutes with bay leaf 5. Remove and save bay leaves. At this point you can transfer to a dutch oven or other large casserole (or this can be done after step #7) 6. Salt, pepper, cayenne to taste. 7.Add raisins, almonds, chopped peaches/apricots, chutney. As the mixture cooks you can add in the juices from the canned fruit to keep the mixture loose (it should be like chili.) 8. Let the mix cool; soak bread in milk and mash up with fork and add to mixture. 9. Pour the eggs over the entire mixture. This is when you can return the bay leaves to the casserole, placing them decoratively on top of the egg. 10. Bake casserole at 350 degrees for 15-20 minutes. The eggs should come out like custard not like an omelet so be careful not to cook too much. Serve with yellow rice, and perhaps offer chutney on the side, yogurt, even shredded coconut.

Tips:

  • Use a good quality mince. This will make a big difference to the flavor of the bobotie.
  • Don't overcook the mince. It should be cooked through but still juicy.
  • Use a flavorful curry powder. This will add depth and complexity to the dish.
  • Don't skimp on the spices. They are what give bobotie its characteristic flavor.
  • Let the bobotie cool slightly before serving. This will allow the flavors to develop and meld together.
  • Serve bobotie with your favorite sides. Some popular options include yellow rice, mashed potatoes, and sambals.

Conclusion:

Bobotie is a delicious and versatile dish that can be enjoyed by people of all ages. It is a great way to use up leftover meat and it is also a budget-friendly meal. If you are looking for a new and exciting dish to try, bobotie is definitely worth a try.

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