Book of Days Tales

The first Thursday of every month in Cape Town, South Africa, is designated as a special day to visit museums, galleries, restaurants, and bars where various special offers are made available.  One of the most well loved dishes in Cape Town (found often on first Thursdays in restaurants) is bobotie, a casserole of curried meat topped with an egg custard.  Variations on the basic theme are legion:

Ingredients

2 slices white bread
2 onions, peeled and chopped
25 gm butter
2 garlic cloves, peeled and crushed
1 kg lean minced beef
2 tbsp Madras curry paste
1 tsp dried mixed herbs
3 whole cloves
5 allspice berries
2 tbsp mango chutney
3 tbsp sultana
6 bay leaves

For the topping

300 ml full-cream milk
2 large eggs

Instructions

Heat oven to 180° C/350° F.

Pour cold water over the bread and set aside to soak.

Fry the onions in the butter, over medium heat for about 10 minutes, or until they are soft and starting to take on some color. Turn up the heat to high and add the garlic and beef. Stir well until the beef takes on color. Stir in the curry paste, herbs, spices, chutney, sultanas and 2 of the bay leaves with 1 tsp salt and ground black pepper to taste. Cover and simmer for 10 mins.
Squeeze the water from the bread, then beat it into the meat mixture until well blended.

Pour the mix into a 23 x 33 cm (9 x 12 in) casserole. Press the mixture down well and smooth the top.

For the topping, beat the milk and eggs together, then pour the mix over the meat. Top with the remaining bay leaves and bake for 35-40 minutes.