Bobotie is a traditional South African casserole dish. It consists of curry-flavored minced meat at the bottom,
topped with a thin layer of egg custard.The history of bobotie dates back to the 17th century. At that time, Dutch merchants established a base in what is
now Cape Town as a stopover point for their travels to and from Indonesia. It is believed that they brought with
them spices, cooking methods, and recipes, which contributed to the origin of bobotie. While the exact details are
unclear, it is speculated that the dish was originally Indonesian and was adapted to suit South African ingredients.Bobotie is cherished as a national traditional dish in South Africa. The minced meat is enriched with various spices
and dried fruits, and the egg custard topping adds a deep flavor. It is recommended to serve it hot, and it pairs
well with medium-bodied red wine.
**Preheat the oven**: Preheat the oven to 180°C (356°F).
**Soak the bread**: Soak the bread in 1 cup of milk.
**Sauté the onions**: Heat the olive oil in a frying pan over medium heat and add the onions. Sauté until they
become soft.
**Add spices and garlic**: Add the curry powder, herbs, cumin, turmeric, and garlic. Sauté for about 1-2 minutes
until the garlic becomes soft.
**Cook the ground beef**: Add the ground beef and cook, stirring frequently to break up any large clumps.
**Mix in other ingredients**: Once the beef turns brown, remove the pan from the heat. Add the chutney, apricot
jam, lemon zest, half the lemon juice, tomato paste, salt, and pepper. Mix well. Taste and adjust with
additional lemon juice, salt, and pepper as needed for a refreshing flavor.
**Combine with bread**: Squeeze the milk from the soaked bread and set the milk aside. Crumble the bread into
small pieces by hand and add it to the beef mixture. Spread evenly and place in an ovenproof dish.
**Prepare the custard**: Strain the milk from the bread, then mix it with the remaining 1/2 cup of milk and
eggs. Season with 1/4 teaspoon of salt and pepper. Pour this liquid over the meat mixture and scatter the bay
leaves on top.
**Bake**: Bake in the preheated oven at 180°C (356°F) for 45 minutes, or until the surface turns golden brown.
