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Bobotie (Cape Malay Spiced Mince Bake)
Fragrant spiced ground beef studded with dried fruit and almonds, baked beneath a silky golden egg-custard topping.
The story
Bobotie originated in the 17th century among the Cape Malay community, descendants of enslaved Indonesian and Southeast Asian artisans brought to South Africa by the Dutch East India Company. Combining sweet-savory spices, Mrs. Ball's style chutney, and bay leaves, it was adopted as South Africa's national dish in 1954. It is traditionally paired with yellow geelrys (turmeric raisin rice) and fiery tomato sambals.
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