Bobotie Recipe

Bobotie has a long history in South African cuisine and is one of the national dishes. It is known in the area of South Africa since the 17th century and most likely has its roots in Indonesia and comes from the word Bobotok. Other sources place the origin in Malaysia. But it seems to be clear that Dutch settlers/companies brought this dish to the Cape of Good Hope.

In old times the meat was often a mixture of mutton and pork, but today lamb or beef is mainly used. The dish is characterized by its balance of savory and sweet flavors which comes from dried fruits such as raisins or apricots. The addition of curry and chili powder, lime juice and almonds give this seemingly simple dish a surprising complexity. The dish is normally served with saffron rice and a fruity chutney. We served it also with some green beans and a nice cold beer.