Bobotie is a quintessential South African dish, having been served since the Cape of Good Hope was just a colony.  It is easiest to describe as a dish with a fruity taste with only a hint of curry.

At Le Pommier Restaurant, Bobotie is one of our specialties and it is a favourite dish of many of our diners, South Africans and international visitors alike!

Bobotie is easy to prepare in advance and is always a crowd pleaser,  so here is the Le Pommier recipe for a true, traditional, South African Bobotie.

Le Pommier’s Traditional Bobotie Recipe

This recipe serves 4.

Ingredients

2 onions finely chopped

1 tablespoon of oil for frying

500g Lean Beef Mince

1 teaspoon Tomato Paste

1 teaspoon Turmeric powder

1 tablespoon Mild Curry Powder

1 teaspoon Mixed Spice

1 teaspoon Cinnamon

1 teaspoon Ground Ginger

1 whole Star Anise

1 teaspoon salt and milled black pepper

4 Bay Leaves

2 tablespoons Apricot Jam

2 tablespoons Mrs Balls  Chutney (Mild)

2 tablespoons Raisins

1 Green Apple  peeled, cored and grated

2 slices of white bread softened with 50 ml of the milk and mashed

250ml Milk

2 large eggs

Instructions

Fry the onions in oil. Add curry powder, turmeric and spice mix, salt and pepper and fry another minute.

Add in the mince and fry until browned but not dry.

Add all the ingredients  except bay leaves, eggs and milk into the mince and mix.

Pour into an oven-proof baking dish

Mix the remaining milk and whisked eggs to make a custard mix and pour on top of the mince mixture.

Press bay leaves on top of the custard mix.

Bake at 180 C for 45 minutes or until top is golden and set.

Serve with yellow rice and raisins.

Enjoy with a bottle of Le Pommier, Maraai Rosé!