Jamie Oliver Bobotie Recipe

Jamie Oliver Bobotie is one of the simplest and most delicious Bobotie recipes out there. This easy-to-make dish is made of minced meat, curry paste, herbs, spices, chutney, sultanas, and an egg-based topping. This Bobotie takes about an hour in total to finish cooking, and the recipe can serve up to 8 people. We welcome your feedback about this recipe.

What Is South African Bobotie 

Bobotie is a traditional South African dish with a rich and complex history. Its exact origins are unclear, but it’s believed to have been influenced by both Indonesian and Dutch cuisine during the colonial period.

Bobotie is traditionally made of spiced and minced meat, often beef or lamb, which is baked with an egg-based topping to form a savory custard crust. The meat is usually curried and contains dried fruit like raisins or sultanas, giving the dish a unique sweet-savory taste. It’s often served with yellow rice and a side of chutney.

The word “Bobotie” is derived from the Malay word ‘bobotok’, which was an Indonesian dish consisting of meat with a custard topping that was cooked in a pan of water until the egg mixture set. Over time, the recipe evolved into the Bobotie we know today, a testament to South Africa’s culinary heritage and cultural diversity.

Bobotie Ingredients

• 2 slices white bread
• 2 onions, chopped
• 25g butter
• 2 garlic cloves, crushed
• 1kg packet of lean minced beef
• 2 tbsp Madras curry paste
• 1 tsp dried mixed herbs
• 3 cloves
• 5 allspice berries
• 2 tbsp peach or mango chutney
• 3 tbsp sultanas
• 6 bay leaves

For The Topping:

• 300ml full-cream milk
• 2 large eggs

How To Make The Best Bobotie 

1. Preheat your oven to 180C/fan 160C/gas 4 (approximately 356°F/320°F fan). Soak 2 slices of white bread in cold water and set aside.
2. In a pan, melt 25g of butter and sauté 2 chopped onions until they are soft and starting to color. Add 2 crushed garlic cloves and 1kg of lean minced beef to the pan. Stir well, breaking the mince into fine grains until it changes color.
3. Stir in 2 tbsp of Madras curry paste, 1 tsp of dried mixed herbs, 3 cloves, 5 allspice berries, 2 tbsp of peach or mango chutney, 3 tbsp of sultanas, and 2 bay leaves. Season with 1 tsp of salt and plenty of ground black pepper. Cover and simmer for 10 minutes.
4. Squeeze the water from the soaked bread and beat it into the meat mixture until well blended. Transfer the mixture into an oval ovenproof dish (23 x 33cm and about 5-6cm deep). Press the mixture down well and smooth the top.
5. In a separate bowl, beat together 300ml of full-cream milk and 2 large eggs with some seasoning. Pour this mixture over the meat in the ovenproof dish. Place the remaining 4 bay leaves on top.
6. Bake the Bobotie in the oven for 35-40 minutes until the topping is set and starting to turn golden.

How To Make Vegetarian Bobotie

To make this Bobotie recipe vegetarian, simply replace the 1kg of lean minced beef with a meat substitute like Quorn mince or lentils. If you’re using lentils, you’ll need about 2.5 cups of cooked lentils. The rest of the recipe remains the same.

How To Make This Bobotie Vegan

For a vegan version of this recipe, just replace the minced beef with a vegan meat substitute or lentils, as suggested for the vegetarian version. Replace the 2 slices of white bread with a vegan bread of your choice.

Instead of the 2 large eggs in the topping, you can use a vegan egg substitute like a flax egg (1 tablespoon of ground flaxseed mixed with 2.5 tablespoons of water equals one flax egg, so you’ll need to double this). Lastly, ensure the curry paste and chutney you’re using are vegan-friendly.

How To Make Yellow Rice For Bobotie 

Yellow rice is a traditional South African side dish that is often served with Bobotie, here is how to make it:

1. Start by rinsing 1 cup of long-grain rice under cold water until the water runs clear to remove excess starch.
2. In a saucepan, combine the rinsed rice with 2 cups of water, 1/2 teaspoon of turmeric, 1/2 teaspoon of salt, 1 tablespoon of butter, and 1 bay leaf. Stir everything together.
3. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat. Once it’s boiling, reduce the heat to low, cover the saucepan, and let it simmer for about 15-20 minutes, or until the rice is tender and the water is absorbed.
4. If you like, add 1/2 cup of raisins to the pot in the last 5 minutes of cooking. This will allow them to plump up and add a sweet contrast to the savory rice.
5. Once the rice is cooked, remove it from the heat and let it sit, covered, for 5 minutes. Then fluff the rice with a fork, remove the bay leaf, and it’s ready to serve.

How Long Can You Keep Bobotie In The Fridge?

Leftover Bobotie can be stored in the fridge for up to 3-4 days. To store it correctly, allow the Bobotie to cool completely, then transfer it to an airtight container before placing it in the fridge.

Can You Freeze Bobotie 

Yes, Bobotie freezes well and can last up to 2-3 months in the freezer. To freeze Bobotie correctly, let it cool completely, then wrap it tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil. You can also place it in a freezer-safe container. When you’re ready to eat it, thaw it in the fridge overnight before reheating.

What Do You Serve With Bobotie 

Serve this jamie oliver bobotie with Potatoes Anna, Orecchiette With Broccoli Rabe And Sausage or Potato Kugel.

What Salad To Serve With Bobotie 

• Arugula Salad
• Charlie Bird Salad
• Green Bean Salad
• Broccoli Salad
• Potato Salad

What Side Dishes To Serve With Bobotie 

1. Yellow Rice
2. Roasted Sweet Potatoes
3. Steamed Green Beans
4. Grilled Corn on the Cob
5. Braised Cabbage

What Vegetables To Eat With Bobotie 

1. Steamed Broccoli
2. Roasted Carrots
3. Grilled Asparagus
4. Sautéed Spinach
5. Roasted Brussels Sprouts

Bobotie Calories And Nutrition Facts

• Calories: 374 kcal
• Carbohydrates: 26g
• Protein: 26g
• Fat: 16g
• Saturated Fat: 5g
• Cholesterol: 131mg
• Sodium: 463mg
• Potassium: 535mg
• Fiber: 4g

FAQs

How To Make This Bobotie Recipe Gluten Free

To make this Bobotie recipe gluten-free, you can replace regular bread with gluten-free bread. Also, ensure that the curry paste and chutney you’re using are gluten-free.

How To Make This Bobotie Recipe Keto

To make this Bobotie recipe keto-friendly, replace the bread with a low-carb substitute like almond flour or coconut flour. Also, replace the chutney and sultanas with low-carb alternatives or omit them.

Can I Use Lamb Meat In Bobotie 

Yes, you can use lamb meat in this Bobotie recipe, simply replace the 1kg of lean minced beef with the same amount of minced lamb. The rest of the recipe remains the same. Just ensure to cook the lamb thoroughly.

Can Bobotie With Turkey

Yes, you can use turkey meat in Bobotie, simply replace the 1kg of lean minced beef with the same amount of minced turkey.

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