Bobotie (ground beef version)

I wanted to share this recipe for Bobotie - the national dish of South Africa. There are several versions. The ingredients and actual recipe changes from family to family. This one uses ground beef instead of ground lamb.

1 1/4 lb of ground beef
1 medium red onion, finely chopped
1 TBSP curry powder
2 cloves of garlic, minced
1/2 tsp ground cumin
8 oz of chopped canned tomatoes
1/2 tsp crushed coriander seeds
1/4 cub bread crumbs
1/4 cup creamy peanut butter
2 tsp salt,
1 cup of milk
2 large eggs
2 egg yolks
pinch of ground nutmeg

Heat a large heavy pot over medium-high heat. Brown beef and onion. Stir in garlic, curry powder, cumin, coriander and tomatoes. Reduce the heat to low and cook for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Stir in bread crumbs, peanut butter, 1 1/2 tsp of salt and 1/2 cup of water. Cook for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove the beef mixture from the pot and drain on paper towels. Transfer to a plate and cool for 20 minutes.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Butter a 2 quart baking dish. Spread the beef mixture in the bottom of the pan. Press down. Whisk together the milk, eggs, egg yolks, nutmeg and the remaining 1/2 tsp salt and pour over the beef.

Set the baking dish into a larger baking pan and add enough hot water to the large pan to come 1 inch up the sides of the baking dish. Cover w/ aluminum foil and bake for 25 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for another 20 minutes, until the topping is golden brown.