South African Bobotie with Ground Lamb

This week's meat haul from the Butcher Block includes ground lamb and I'm planning to try my hands at a South African dish--Bobotie. I had lamb Bobotie during my visit to J-Burg and loved it. #nom

Ingredients
1/2 cup fresh breadcrumbs
 1 cup milk
 2 tablespoons olive oil
 1 each onion and carrot, finely chopped
 2 garlic cloves, crushed
 5cm piece ginger, grated
 1 lb ground lamb
 2 tablespoons mild curry powder
 6 fresh curry leaves, chopped, plus extra to serve (see notes)
 1/2 cup raisins
 2 tablespoons slivered almonds, toasted
 2 tablespoons spiced tomato chutney
 1 cup Beef Stock
 Juice of 1 lemon
 2 eggs
 1/2 teaspoon ground turmeric

Preheat oven to 180°C.

Soak breadcrumbs in 1/2 cup (125ml) milk until needed.

Heat the oil in a large, deep frypan over medium heat. Add onion and carrot, then cook, stirring, for 3-4 minutes until soft. Add the garlic and ginger, then cook for a further 2 minutes or until fragrant.

Add the lamb and cook, breaking up lumps with a wooden spoon, for 5-6 minutes until browned. Stir in the curry powder, curry leaves, raisins and almonds, then cook for 2 minutes.

Stir in the chutney, beef stock, lemon juice and breadcrumb mixture. Season, bring to a simmer, then divide mixture among four 2-cup (500ml) ovenproof dishes. Cover with foil and bake for 25-30 minutes.

Beat the egg, turmeric and remaining 1/2 cup (125ml) milk in a bowl. Remove dishes from oven, then discard foil and pour over egg mixture. Bake for a further 20-25 minutes or until the topping is golden and set. Cool for 5 minutes. Garnish the bobotie with the extra curry leaves, and serve with a salad.

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