Bobotie - South African Minced Beef Bake

My South African friend explained her favourite dish of Bobotie as curried mince with custard on top – it’s kind of true but its much more tastier than that and well worth a try.
Traditionally served with Yellow Rice and chutney.

Preparation time: 30 minutes   Quantity: Serves 4 generous portions   Cooking time: 30 - 40 minutes

Ingredients

2 slices any bread diced plus crust (80g/ 3 oz)
400 ml / 9 fl oz/ 3/4 pint full fat milk
2 large eggs

1-tablespoon olive oil
500g /1 lb & 4 oz minced beef or lamb
2 small/1 large onions (200g/ 8 oz) chopped.
2 cloves crushed garlic
1 teaspoon grated ginger
1 sour/ hard apple peeled grated
1 tablespoon curry paste or
(1 teaspoon ground cumin, 1 teaspoon ground coriander, 1 teaspoon hot chilli powder and 2 teaspoon turmeric)
1 tablespoon dark brown sugar
A good dose of salt and pepper
2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
60g/2oz sliced almonds
60g/2oz raisins

Method

  • Soak bread in milk, leave to soak up for 10 minutes
  • Squeeze out the milk and squash the bread- leave aside
  • Add the 2 eggs to the milk and reserve
  • Gently fry the chopped onions with out colour
  • Add the garlic, ginger and grated apple
  • Fry in the spices and cook for 2 minutes with out colour
  • Add the mince and cook till browned, breaking up so not lumpy
  • Add the sugar, vinegar, 1/2 the almonds and raisins
  • Cook for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally till well cooked
  • Place mixture in a greased ovenproof baking dish
  • Pour on the egg/milk mix and sprinkle on rest of the almonds on top
  • Place in a pre-heated oven on gas 5/200*c/400*fº
  • Cook for 30-40 minutes until golden brown and set