In the 17th century, the recipe for Indonesian bobotok was carried by Indonesians aboard Dutch East India Company's spice ships which also transported Malay slaves to South Africa. Over time, bobotok morphed into the traditional South African dish known as bobotie.
Minced lamb, pork or beef combined with several different herbs and spices, and sometimes dried fruit, makes a sweet, tangy meat pie that features an egg topping. Bananas, chutney, a spicy fruit relish, sambal, a chili-based condiment, and shelled walnuts are often used to garnish bobotie. Plain boiled rice and a green salad typically round out the meal.
To make a plain bobotie that is quite similar to the original recipe, begin by removing the crust from two slices of stale white bread and soak them in two tablespoons (30 ml) of hot water. While the bread is soaking, heat two tablespoons (30 ml) of cooking oil in a large skillet. When the oil is hot, add one thinly sliced onion to the hot oil. Cook the onion until it is soft and golden. Following cooking, removed them from the oil and set aside.
Sout African Bobotie (Meat Pie)
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!
Total Time: 1 hr 55 mins
Prep Time: 15 mins
Cook Time: 1 hr 40 mins
Difficulty: Medium
Yield: 4 servings
To Make this recipe, you will need the following:
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 2 medium onions, minced
- 1 1/2 pounds ground beef
- 1 cup milk
- 2 slices Texas toast thick-sliced bread
- 1/2 cup raisins
- 1 teaspoon apricot jam
- 1 tablespoon hot chutney
- 1/2 tablespoon curry powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 large egg
- 1 pinch salt
- 1 bay leaf
Method
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. Bake in the preheated oven 1 hour.
5. 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.
6. Return the bobotie to the oven until the top is golden brown, 25 to 30 minutes. Remove bay leaf before serving.
