So what is bobotie (pronounced Ba-Boo-tea) ? 

Bobotie is a delicious mixture of curried meat and fruit with a creamy golden topping and at times, in a non traditional way, wrapped in pastry :)

The word "Bobotie" is controversial in every sense and its not because of the raisins and sultana's :)

According to the Afrikaans etymological dictionary the word originated from the Malayan word boemboe, meaning curry spices and others seem to think it came from the Indonesian dish bobotok which consist completely of a different set of ingredients...

This dish was then taken to South Africa and was adopted by the Cape Malay community :) where they added a mix of spices which through the ages has become one of South Africa's most iconic dishes.

Today, we will be sharing the steps on How to make Bobotie below.

Happy cooking:)

Step 1 : Cut up 1 large onion

 

Step 2 : Add a little oil to a pan

Step 3 : Cook the onions until golden brown

Step 4 : Soak 6 slices of bread with 1 cup of milk and 1 cup of water

Step 5 : Grate 3 carrots

Step 6 : Add fresh 2-3 bay leaves to the pan

Step 7 : Add the spices and grated carrots to the pan and mix well

Step 8 : Grate or chop some garlic and add to the pan

Step 9 : Add a quarter cup of brown malt vinegar to the pan

Step 10 : Add some of your favourite chutney too to give it that tangy taste

Step 11 : Add half a cup of raisin's and sultana's

Step 12 : Add 500g ground beef and mix well into the paste.Let the mince cook through and cool for 10 minutes

Step 13 : Squeeze the excess liquid from the bread

Step 14 : Add 6 eggs to the bread and mix well

Step 15 : Brush 3 sheets of phyllo with butter to create 3 layers

Step 16 : Fold the phyllo pastry in half and brush with some butter on the top

Step 17 : Cut the pastry to size and place in a container

Step 18 : Add the bread and mix well with the bobotie base

Step 19 : Add the bobotie to the containers 

Step 20 : Mix 2 eggs and cream. Add some pepper and salt for taste.

Step 21 : Add the cream base to the Bobotie and add bay leaves

Step 22 : Place in the oven pre-heated at 180C / 356F. Cook until golden brown.

Step 23 : Bon Appetite

 

Bobotie Ingredients:

• 500 g ground beef mince
• 1 large onion
• 3 carrots grated
• 3 bay leaves
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 2 teaspoons turmeric
• 1 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1 teaspoon mild curry powder
• 1 garlic clove minced
• ¼ cup vinegar
• 2 tablespoons chutney
• ½ cup raisins and sultanas
• Salt to taste
• 8 Eggs
• 5 Slices white bread (preferably 1 day old)
• 1 cup milk and water each
• 1 cup cream
• 3 sheets phyllo pastry

 

Alternatively, you can buy Royco's Bobotie mix. View product and recipe for details below. 

 

 

References:

Making South African Bobotie by The Good Looking And Cooking Cook :) 

Bobotie History: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bobotie