In the spirit of our blog’s South African Focus this week, in honor of the release of Nelson Mandela twenty years ago, it is only fitting that we give you a South African Recipe… While most South Africans would say that “the braai” is our national meal I would have to say that bobotie is our national dish. It is similar to shepherds pie, with an egg custard on top instead of potatoes. Also it is packed with gorgeous spices and fruity goodness, lots of sweet and sour tastes… Certainly not a bland meal, it is a burst of color in your mouth. Traditionally it is served with yellow rice, so I popped the yellow rice story onto the end of this post.
So Let’s Meet The Players:
This made a huge amount, and fed us twice so feel free to halve the recipe. Also it was really quick to prepare and cook that it is definitely going onto our menu.
- 2 packets of mince (total of about 500g).
- 2 onions chopped up
- 4 slices of white bread
- A couple of cloves of chopped garlic and a small lump of chopped ginger.
- A handful of sultanas (yellow raisins)
- A handful of chopped dried apricots if you have them (I didn’t – not essential)
- A good dollop of chutney.
- chopped parsley
- A whole heap of spices – I bought a bobotie mix at the local supermarket!
- A pinch of Garam Masala.
- A pinch of Ground Cumin.
- A pinch of Dried Coriander.
- A couple of Cloves.
- 1/2 a teaspoon of Turmeric.
- 1/2 a teaspoon of Ground All Spice.
- 2 teaspoons of curry powder.
- 1 teaspoon of tumeric.
- A couple of bay leaves
- ! cup of whole milk
- 3 eggs
For the filling:
If you can’t find a bobotie mix then here you go:
If that is just too complicated then this is a quick and easy option:
For the custard topping:
Let’s Play the Game:
- Soak your bread in warm water and then drain it. (Some recipes leave the bread out all together for those of you who have wheat issues just omit it).
- Chop your onions and brown your onions, leave them on the side.
- Put your mince into a large dish. Add your spices, garlic and ginger, parsley, sultanas, chutney, bread and onions. Everything except the bay leaves.
- Once everything is in the big mixing bowl mix it all together.
- Place your mixture in a large oven proof dish and pop the bay leaves into the mince as well.
- Whisk your eggs and milk together and then pour it over your mince mixture.
- Pop your meal into a 180 degree Celsius Oven (350 degrees Fahrenheit) for about half an hour until your custard is set and crispy brown on top.
Finally the Rice:
While your Bobotie is baking in the oven…
Let’s Meet the Players:
- Your usual rice
- 2 sticks of cinnamon
- a pinch of turmeric
- a handful of sultanas or raisins
Let’s Play the Game:
- Measure out and cook your rice as usual…
- And add two cinnamon sticks and a pinch of turmeric to the water.
- Half way through cooking add a handful of sultanas or raisins.
- And your rice is done.
One very quick meal!!! Bon Apetito… or as we would say: “Lekker eet”
Lekker is South African for all things good or nice: Have a lekker day, that meal was lekker, we went to a lekker party, local is lekker and so on… it derives from the Afrikaans word for candy, which is sweet, which is good!!!
This looks delicious,
I also would have thought of the Braai as our national dish.
oooh, ooh!
“lecker” in German and in Dutch means “tasty” (or some variation thereof). Isn’t that just cool???
ooo.. looks yummy!
I knew ‘lekker’… we had a dutch au pair when I was young and she used to say ‘lekker’ and taught us too.
Hi M, Nice to meet you… I think the braai may be an “event” rather than a “dish”… Their is no doubt that the major part of the braai event is spent feasting!!! You have a good day!
Hay C, Aha!!! Afrikaans derives from the Dutch Language, since it was the Dutch that originally settled at the Cape. Hence the Dutch connection. Hope you are enjoying your chocolate in the snow!!!
Hi C, This is great a couple of you would understand when I say: “Local is lekker…” because we say this a lot over here!!! Have a great day!!!
mmm mmm… ohhh la la… I wont ever let my kids come eat at your house… they would never leave!! Think you could handle 12?
Oh KM, Send them over I am sure we would have some fun!!! Those little love letters are so very cute!!!Hope you guys have a fun weekend together!!!
We’re gonna try to make this this weekend! Can’t wait. It looks so delicious.
Oh Alison… I put off making it for years and then it turned out to be a firm favorite!!! Hope it goes well!!!! Have a fun weekend…
Try a grated granny smith (green sour apple) mixed into the mixture — yum! yum!
Thanks for the tip Anton.