Bobotie

So there I was listening to Afternoons with Jim Mora on National Radio on Friday (when they have regular cooking slot) and missed the start of the recipe. Just listening to the ingredients, I thought "Hang on - this sounds suspiciously like Bobotie" and indeed it was. A dish that brings back many childhood memories.

Now the Saturday Kids had a painful experience with a previous incarnation of this which was far too strong so they scaled back on the curry powder. Personally, they could have added a bit more! but it was delicious anyway.

The recipe is here but just in case it's ever removed, it's copied below:

Chef: Lois Daish, as heard on Afternoons with Jim Mora, 15 June 2007

Ingredients
1 thick slice white bread
1 and a half cups milk
2 tablespoons oil
2 medium onions, finely chopped
1 large knob fresh ginger, grated
3 cloves garlic, crushed
3 tablespoons curry powder
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon cumin
1 kg minced beef
1 large carrot, coarsely grated
3 tablespoons fruit chutney
2 teaspoons salt
1 egg, beaten
4 tablespoons seedless raisins
1 cup tomato puree

Topping
2 eggs
large pinches salt and turmeric
6 bay leaves
flaked almonds
Method
Soak the bread in the milk. Heat the oil in a large frying pan and fry the onions, ginger and garlic. Add curry and spices. Stir until aromatic, adding a little water to prevent scorching. Add minced beef and stir until no longer pink. Add remaining ingredients, including the squeezed out bread. (Reserve the milk). Mix well and spread in a large lightly oiled baking dish (20x30cm). Bake at 160 for 45 minutes.

To make the topping, whisk eggs with the reserved milk, salt and turmeric. Pour over the baked meat. Slip in the bay leaves and scatter the almonds. Bake for another 45 minutes.

Serves 8

from ‘Fabulous Food’ by Lynn Bedford Hall (Struik/New Holland)