This classic South African dinner dish is always a winner. While this recipe makes enough to fill about six to eight ramekins, you can also bake it all together in a casserole dish – no need to adjust the cooking time. And where the recipe calls for you to simmer the mince, keep a close eye on it, as the mince sauce is thickened by the bread and will catch easily.

Ingredients

• 2 slices thick white bread, crusts removed
• 375 ml milk
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 15 ml (1 T) sunflower oil
• 1 kg lean beef mince
• 30 ml (2 T) Rhodes Quality Apricot Jam
• 60 ml (4 T) lemon juice, freshly squeezed
• 15 ml (1 T) medium curry powder
• 5 ml (1 t) garam masala
• 125 ml raisins
• 10 dried apricots, sliced
• 65 ml almonds, chopped
• salt and coarsely ground black pepper
• 6 bay leaves
• 3 eggs
• 5 ml (1 t) ground turmeric

Method

1. Soak the bread in 125 ml of the milk.
2. Then, in a large frying pan, fry the onion in the oil until soft and fragrant.
3. Add the mince and brown.
4. Drain and discard any excess fat from the pan and add the Rhodes Quality Smooth Apricot Jam, lemon juice, curry powder and garam masala.
5. Simmer for 5 – 10 minutes then stir in the soaked bread, raisins, apricots and almonds.
6. Season to taste and simmer for a further 10 minutes.
7. Spoon the mince into a casserole and press the bay leaves lightly into the top.
8. Whisk together the remaining 250 ml (1 C) milk and the eggs.
9. Add the turmeric and season to taste.
10. Gently pour the milk mixture over the mince and bake in a preheated oven at 180 °C for 40 – 50 minutes or until the custard is set.
11. Serve with rice, chutney and sambals.