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South African·Main Course

One-Pan Beef Bobotie

A comforting South African curry beef casserole featuring a savory-sweet meat filling topped with a delicate, bay-infused egg custard.

Prep

15m

Cook

60m

Total

75m

Serves

6

Method

  1. 01

    Place an oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat with olive oil and butter. Sauté the onions with a pinch of salt until translucent, about 5 minutes.

    Step 1
    Watch · 0:31
  2. 02

    Stir in the curry powder, turmeric, cumin, black pepper, and oregano. Sauté for 1 minute to bloom the spices, then add the ground beef. Cook, breaking the meat into fine crumbles, until browned.

    Step 2
    Watch · 1:15
  3. 03

    Add one bay leaf, tomato paste, and minced garlic; cook for 2 minutes. Stir in the lemon juice, lemon zest, red wine vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, and mango chutney. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer gently for 5 minutes.

    Step 3
    Watch · 2:38
  4. 04

    While the meat simmers, soak 3 slices of crustless white bread in 1/2 cup of milk. Squeeze the milk out of the bread (reserve the milk) and mash the softened bread into the beef mixture until it fully disappears. Turn off the heat and smooth the surface of the meat.

    Step 4
    Watch · 3:55
  5. 05

    In a bowl, whisk together 1 cup of milk, the reserved soaking milk, eggs, cayenne, and salt until very smooth. Gently pour the custard over the meat. Top with the remaining three bay leaves.

    Step 5
    Watch · 5:18
  6. 06

    Bake in the center of a preheated 350°F (175°C) oven for about 45 minutes until the custard is set and golden brown. Let rest for 5 minutes before serving.

    Step 6
    Watch · 6:13

From Chef John

  • “This is one of those recipes that doesn't look good until it does and then it looks spectacular.”
  • “You guys are, after all, the Marcus Samuelsson of how this should be done.”
  • “This has a very similar vibe to sloppy joe—so if you're a fan of those, and who isn't, you're going to want to try this.”