Bobotie is a traditional South African dish that consists of a curry flavoured minced meat, topped off with an egg and milk based layer. Although its origins are not completely clear, we do know that it is a dish that beautifully demonstrates the fusion of cultures in South Africa with a colourful and fragrant result.
There is more than one theory with regard to where the word ‘bobotie’ comes from. Some argue that the name comes from the Malayan word ‘Boemboe’, which translates to ‘curry spices’. Yet others are of the opinion that it refers to the Indonesian ‘bobotok’ dish, which consists of meat with a custard topping.
What we do know is that the end result of Bobotie, speaks of the influence of food and spices brought with the culture of imported slaves from Java and Indonesia in the 1600’s. Infused with *Cape Malayan spices, Bobotie is anything but bland. Its fragrant taste can be contributed to spices such as cumin, coriander and cloves. (*Cape Malay/an refers to a cultural group that is of Muslim orientation and not necessarily from a particular region in Malaysia)
You have to try this delicious dish during your educational visit to South Africa. If you would like attempt cooking it yourself, you can follow the recipe below:
Recipe by Salwaa Smith:
Ingredients:
2 slices white bread (preferably a couple of days old)
2 Tbsp cooking oil
1 large chopped onion
1/4 tsp ground cloves
1 tsp crushed garlic
salt to taste (approx 5ml)
3 tsp curry powder
1 tsp turmeric
500g minced meat (lamb or beef)
1 large egg
2 Tbsp lemon juice
6 bay leaves
For the topping:
3 large eggs
1 cup milk
Method:
Set your oven to 180° Celsius (or 356 Fahrenheit) and preheat. Then pour cold water to cover over the slices of bread and leave to soak. Now fry the onions in oil until they are soft and change colour (about 10 minutes). Then add your cloves, garlic, salt, curry powder, 2 of the bay leaves and turmeric. Leave to simmer for 5 minutes (add 2 Tbsp water if necessary to prevent the onions from sticking).
In a separate bowl, combine the minced meat with your onion mixture, eggs, lemon juice and sugar. Squeeze the water from the bread and mix until well blended.
Tip your mixture into an ovenproof dish (23 x 33cm and about 5-6cm deep). Press it down well and smooth the top. Now you are ready to bake the Bobotie in a preheated oven for 35-40 minutes. *At this stage, you can use a fork to even out mixture.
For the final step: Mix the eggs and milk together and pour the mixture over the Bobotie.This forms the egg-based topping.
You now return your dish to the oven and bake grill a further 5 -10 minutes until the egg mixture has cooked and the top of the Bobotie and becomes a beautiful, brown colour.
*Serve with almond yellow rice, braised rice, vegetables and mango chutney.
For more Cape Malayan recipes visit: https://capemalaycookingdelights.com/
FAQs
Why is bobotie so important to South Africa? ›
In South Africa, bobotie was adopted and adapted by the Cape Malay community – many of whom were slaves and labourers with roots in modern-day Indonesia – with the addition of curry powder, as well as the spices typically being transported by the Dutch East India Company from Indonesia to the Netherlands.
What is the meaning of bobotie in English? ›
(bʊˈbʊtɪ ) noun. a South African dish consisting of curried mincemeat with a topping of beaten egg baked to a crust.
What is South Africa's national dish? ›
Considered by many to be the South African national dish, Bobotie (pronounced ba-bo-tea) is a meat-based dish and one of the most well-known examples of Cape Malay cuisine.
What is the most popular food dish in South Africa? ›
Bobotie. Another dish thought to have been brought to South Africa by Asian settlers, bobotie is now the national dish of the country and cooked in many homes and restaurants. Minced meat is simmered with spices, usually curry powder, herbs and dried fruit, then topped with a mixture of egg and milk and baked until set ...
What goes with bobotie? ›
It is almost always served with "yellow rice" however; long-grain cooked with turmeric and often raisins, though it would also be nice, I think, with mashed sweet potato or roasted squash, and a glass of robust red like a local cabernet sauvignon, whose smoky fruit pairs well with the sweet gaminess of the lamb.
Who eats bobotie in South Africa? ›
The first recipe for bobotie appeared in a Dutch cookbook in 1609. Afterwards, it was taken to South Africa and adopted by the Cape Malay community. It is also made with curry powder, leaving it with a slight "tang". It is often served with sambal.
What is Africa favorite dish? ›
Jollof Rice is a beloved West African dish known for its rich, spicy tomato flavor. It's a one-pot rice dish cooked with a variety of ingredients like vegetables, spices, and often meat or fish. Jollof Rice is not just a meal; it's a symbol of cultural identity and unity among West Africans.
What is a fun fact about bobotie? ›
Bobotie is a baked mincemeat dish and one of the more recognizable foods to come out of South Africa. It's commonly believed that Bobotie was first derived from the Javanese dish Botok, as Dutch colonists brought the dish to South Africa from their settlements in Indonesia (née Dutch East Indies) in the 17th century.
What do South Africans call sandwiches? ›
sarmie, a South African English word for "sandwich"
Beef biltong - traditional South African Food
Biltong is a South African classic. It is air-cured meat immersed in vinegar and spices. Various types of meat are used to make biltong but it is most commonly made from beef because of its widespread availability and lower costs.
What do South Africans eat for breakfast? ›
It's a tea-and-coffee culture, so breakfast is often a cup of something hot (with lots of sugar added) served alongside something bready. That can be a piece of toast with jam or cheese, a rusk (a thick and tooth-breakingly hard cookie), buttered bread, or even a hot dog bun.
What are the main ingredients in bobotie? ›
What is the national drink of South Africa? ›
South Africa: No official drink but Beer, Springbokkie and Boeber are common. Umqombothi a traditional Nguni sorghum beer is a popular drink to celebrate special ceremonies, and more recently rooibos or “bush” tea is referred to as the unofficial national drink.
What are the traditional ingredients in South Africa? ›
10 Quintessential South African Ingredients – What Every Chef Has In His Larder
- MARULA FRUIT. The Marula, Sclerocarya birrea subsp caffra, is an indigenous drought tolerant tree (the same family as cashew, mango and pistachio) and a prolific bearer of fruit. ...
- SOUR FIG. ...
- SPEKBOOM. ...
- KALAHARI TRUFFLES. ...
- KAPOKBOS.
The basic ingredients include seafood, meat products (including wild game), poultry, as well as grains, fresh fruits and vegetables.
What are traditional South African spices? ›
Spices used in the continent range from the familiar--bay leaves, cinnamon, cumin, ginger, and sesame seeds—to lesser-known ones such as cardamom or grains of paradise. Play with African spicing by cooking rice with smoky black cardamom or adding cinnamon and ginger to dipping sauces.
What are some fun facts about bobotie? ›
Bobotie is a baked mincemeat dish and one of the more recognizable foods to come out of South Africa. It's commonly believed that Bobotie was first derived from the Javanese dish Botok, as Dutch colonists brought the dish to South Africa from their settlements in Indonesia (née Dutch East Indies) in the 17th century.
