Bobotie Recipe • Traditional South African Casserole | Club Foody

 

As a foody, I was very fortunate to have met so many people from all around the world 🌍. They made me discover some of their traditions through their dishes. It has been, and still is, a delicious way to learn about other cultures.
 
One of my girlfriends’ friends came to visit her in Canada 🍁. He was from Cape Town and before he left, he made a lovely casserole called Bobotie! He told us that this dish is the South African national dish. He also mentioned that there are many variations of it.
 
A few years later, while cleaning up another recipe folder 📁, I came across his recipe and vividly remember how delicious it was. It’s a gorgeous mix of flavor: sweet, savory and tart with a curry note in the background! It’s pretty close to a moussaka with a more complex overtone!
 
Initially, he made his version of Bobotie with ground beef only. When living in downtown Toronto, I shared my notes on his recipe with one of my neighbours who was also from South Africa. She told me that hers was with ground beef and ground lamb 🐏 along with extra ingredients. Sure enough, I tried her version too and from there, created my own based on what I liked.
 
A lot of yumminess goes into this casserole 🥘. There’s the meat, with a nice array of spices and seasonings as well as mango chutney and sultana raisins. As strange as it may sound, the combination works marvellously. Whoever came up with this mixture, I must say, it works!
 
Panade and egg custard 🥚 are also included.
Panade is the fancy term that describes when bread or breadcrumbs and milk 🥛 (or any other liquid such as broth or water) are mixed into a paste. It’s often used when making meatballs or meatloaves. It helps to keep the meat moist. You can use white bread, multigrain, brioche, etc.
 
The egg custard is the finishing touch… well almost. Prior to transferring the mixture into the oven, it’s leveled out and pressed down to compact it. Then the custard is slowly and evenly poured on top. This gives that gorgeous golden-brown top 😍.
 
A traditional and essential ingredient that is used for this dish is bay leaves 🍃. They add a touch of bitterness which balances out the flavors. I place 5 bay leaves on top of the custard forming a pattern after I put the skillet in the oven otherwise, they will move while transferring it.
 
This one-pot dish can keep for up to 4 days in the fridge if it lasts that long. Bobotie is a wonderful curry casserole recipe to make this winter. Served with yellow rice 🍚, this is a satisfying meal that I’m positive everyone will enjoy!
Bon Appétit! 🍽
 
Here are more casserole recipes for you to try… 😀
– Pierogi Casserole
– Texas Cowboy Stew
– Tuna Casserole
– Chicken Divan
– Cod au Gratin
– Lancashire Hotpot
– Frankie’s Macaroni Casserole
– Shepherd’s Pie
– Pastitsio
and for even more casserole recipes 🍲, click on this link… Recipe Category • Casseroles

For ingredient amounts, directions, and much more, visit ➡ https://clubfoody.com/cf-recipes/bobotie/

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