Bobotie (South African Meatloaf Casserole)
User Reviews
5
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Prep Time
20 mins
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Cook Time
1 hr 10 mins
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Total Time
1 hr 30 mins
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Servings
6 servings
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Calories
338 kcal
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Course
Main Course
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Cuisine
South African
Bobotie (South African Meatloaf Casserole)
Description
Bobotie (South African Meatloaf Casserole) features ground beef or other meats cooked with onions, garlic, and a blend of curry powder, turmeric, cumin, nutmeg, cloves, and allspice for a complex spice profile. Apricot jam and malt vinegar add subtle sweetness and acidity. Soaked bread binds the mixture, which is enriched with diced apples, dried apricots, and golden raisins, contributing fruity notes and moistness.
The meat mixture is placed in a casserole dish, topped with a smooth custard made from milk, eggs, turmeric, and salt, then baked until set and golden brown. Bay leaves and slivered almonds on top add aroma and a slight crunch. The finished dish offers a balance of savory, sweet, and mildly spiced flavors with a tender texture throughout.
Bobotie can be served with yellow turmeric rice, absorbing its juices. The recipe notes suggest adding turmeric when cooking rice to complement the casserole. The custard topping requires careful baking to achieve the right firmness and color without overcooking.
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef or lamb, pork, or combination
- 2 tablespoons butter or olive oil
- 1 yellow onion chopped, large
- 2 cloves garlic , minced
- 1 1/2 tablespoons curry powder
- curry powder click link for recipe, homemade
- 1 teaspoon Turmeric ground
- 1/4 teaspoon cumin ground
- 1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/8 teaspoon cloves ground
- 1/8 teaspoon ground allspice
- 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper freshly ground
- 2 tablespoons apricot jam or mango chutney
- 1 tablespoons malt vinegar or cider vinegar
- 2 lices bread crusts removed, and cubed, soaked in about 1/2 cup milk (use gluten free if necessary, stale
- 1 egg large
- 1 cup apple peeled and cored (about 1 medium-sized apple, diced
- 1/4 cup dried apricot finely diced
- 1/4 cup golden raisins
- For the custard:
- 1 cup milk whole
- 2 egg large
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon Turmeric
- For topping:
- 6 bay leaf
- 2 tablespoons almonds slivered
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Grease a medium (about 8x10) casserole dish.
- Heat the butter or oil in a large frying pan and saute the onions and garlic until soft and translucent. Add the ground meat and cook until most of the pink is gone. Add the curry, turmeric, cumin, nutmeg, cloves, and allspice and cook for another 2 minutes. Add the salt, pepper, apricot jam and vinegar and stir to combine.Squeeze excess milk from the bread and add the bread to the meat mixture. Stir to combine. Add the egg to the mixture and stir to thoroughly combine. Add the apples, apricots and raisins and stir to combine.Scoop the meat mixture into the greased casserole dish.
- To make the custard, combine the milk, eggs, salt and turmeric and whisk together until blended. Evenly pour the custard over the meat mixture. Place the bay leaves on top and evenly sprinkle over the slivered almonds.Baked uncovered for an hour or until the mixture is set and the top is golden brown. Serve with yellow rice (*see note)
Notes
- To complement Bobotie, prepare yellow rice by adding 1/2 teaspoon turmeric per cup of uncooked white rice for added color and flavor.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 6servings
Amount Per Serving
Calories 338 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 338kcal | 17% |
| Carbohydrates | 23g | 8% |
| Protein | 22g | 44% |
| Fat | 18g | 28% |
| Saturated Fat | 5g | 25% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 2g | 12% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 9g | 45% |
| Cholesterol | 136mg | 45% |
| Sodium | 825mg | 34% |
| Potassium | 516mg | 11% |
| Fiber | 3g | 12% |
| Sugar | 12g | 24% |
| Vitamin A | 234IU | 5% |
| Vitamin C | 4mg | 4% |
| Calcium | 116mg | 12% |
| Iron | 4mg | 22% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
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