Un hommage to Evita’s bobotie at Greg’s Table.

by | May 15, 2021

Yes–that’s us–a few years ago

 

Evita Bezuidenhout and I have been friends for many, many years. My friend Pieter-Dirk Uys introduced us and we got along like a house on fire from the get go. Now that she is cooking for the ANC at Luthuli House who knows what to expect? The mere fact that she is a member of the ANC is mind boggling enough. Anyway, Evita put out a cookbook or two in 2010 the first being called Kossie Sikelela and they were best sellers. There is a recipe in there for her famous bobotie that she says “Fiddle” Castro “loved” but I have my own version so let us call it un hommage to her. Here it is—on my table. This will make enough to feed 4 or 6 depending –serve it with rice- either yellow or white –we have no preference. I make mine on the stove top in one dish that I can place directly into the oven but most versions make the base –the meat component—in a pan and then transfer it. Suit yourself—mine works for me.

A bit messsy–but real!!

INGREDIENTS

1 Good slice white or brown bread

1 ½ cups full cream milk

1 onion chopped

2 cloves garlic chopped

2 tablespoons oil

500 gms mince

1 tbsp curry powder—you choose strength—more of you like

1 tsp salt

Handful sultanas seedless

2 tbsps chutney—once again you choose

2 eggs

2 bay leaves—see what happened to mine!

METHOD

  1. Brown onion on medium heat, add garlic towards end, not to scorch
  2. Add mince and turn heat up to assist in breaking it up completely till no pink remains.
  3. Add curry powder, sultanas, salt and chutney. Turn heat down and allow to simmer for 20 minutes or so.
  4. Place the slice of bread in a bowl and pour the milk on it to soak.
  5. Mix the eggs thoroughly in a cup with a fork.
  6. Remove the dish from the stove.
  7. Bring the oven to 180 degrees.
  8. Squeeze out the bread saving the milk—use your hands –it’s fun.
  9. Break the bread up and mix into meat mixture.
  10. Pat flattish with a large spoon.
  11. Mix the eggs thoroughly with the milk that remains and pour on top of the meat .
  12. Place bay leaves on top and bake for 40 minutes till set.

 

The smell pervades the house