Sumptuous Indian set menu for two
10 unique dishes (and MCC) at Bombay Brasserie
![]() | +27 (0)21-4657050 |
![]() | 60 Corporation Street | Cape Town |
![]() | www.townhouse.co.za/home |
![]() | hotel@townhouse.co.za |
![]() | Townhouse Hotel |
Trees Restaurant chef Stefan Schmidt shares his original take on this traditional South African dish
In 1998, German-born kitchen maestro Stefan Schmidt exchanged life in Europe for Cape Town’s summers, wine and beaches. Since stepping into South African kitchens – first at the Grande Roche Hotel in Paarl and now at Trees Restaurant in Cape Town’s CBD – the Michelin-trained chef has grown a healthy adoration for traditional local dishes.
In particular, he’s become somewhat of a Cape Malay bobotie fan.
“I love how such a humble dish can be so versatile,” he explains. “You can whip it up as the classic baked version that comes topped with egg custard, which we serve as part of our lunch buffet at Trees Café, a lighter bobotie wrap or a deconstructed dish for special menus.”
He’s shared the latter with our readers to spice up the bog-standard recipes out there and to give people an idea of what’s on the go at Trees, where they serve up classics with a certain spin - they like to “play” with their food – as well as simple, comforting dishes.
CAPE MALAY BOBOTIE - WITH A TWIST
Serves 6
For the mince:
Ingredients:
800g beef mice
200g (or one large) onion
20g fresh ginger, crushed
40g fresh garlic, crushed
7 cardamom pods
20g whole coriander pods
5 cloves
3 bay leaves
6 dried curry leaves
2 tbsp mild curry powder
2 tbsp ground cumin
1 tbsp turmeric
1 tbsp garam masala
1 tbsp apricots jam
10 Turkish apricots, chopped
50g currants
6 tbsp Mrs. Ball’s chutney
salt and pepper for seasoning
Method:
Heat the cardamom, cloves and coriander in a pan until the cardamom pods have popped. Remove the spices from the pan and add to a pestle and mortar with the curry and bay leaves. Crush all the spices, place in a muslin cloth and knot it closed.
Place a dash of oil in a decent size pot and allow the oil to heat. When the oil starts to smoke slightly, add the onion, garlic and ginger. Gently sauté until the onions become translucent, and then add the mince with all the spices - including the spice-filled muslin cloth. When the mince and spices are thoroughly infused, add the jam, apricots, currants and chutney. Add some water just so the spices and jam don’t burn. Then add some salt and pepper and allow the mince and spices to cook through. Remove from the heat and remove the muslin cloth with the crushed spices.
For the yellow date and apricot sushi rice balls
Ingredients:
150g sushi rice
50ml rice wine vinegar
1tsp turmeric
5 Turkish apricots, chopped
10 pitted dates, chopped
100ml coconut milk
200ml water
salt for seasoning
Method:
Cook all ingredients in a medium-sized pot on a moderate heat until rice is cooked. When the rice is cooked, remove from the heat and allow to cool. Do not strain the rice under cold water. When cooled completely, the rice should be very sticky. Roll the rice into small balls that are roughly the size of a cherry tomato and then deep fry.
For the curry hollandaise sauce
Ingredients:
3 egg yolks
2 tbsp water
2 tbsp white wine vinegar
1 ½ tsp mild curry powder
200 – 250g warm melted butter
salt and pepper for seasoning
Method:
Place the egg yolks, vinegar, water, curry powder and seasoning over a bain-marie. Whisk the egg mixture rapidly over the simmering water. As the mixture begins to foam and thicken, it will turn pale yellow. Then, add the butter gradually, two tablespoons at a time. Keep whisking until all the butter is incorporated. Remove from the heat.
Tip: Keep the heat lower (than rapidly boiling) – if the bowl becomes too hot, your eggs may curdle.
To assemble:
Place the mince on a plate in a ring mould or a neat mound. Spoon the Hollandaise over the mince. Serve with the crispy rice balls scattered on the plate and garnish with coriander leaves to get that lovely, fresh flavour.
Trees Restaurant | Townhouse Hotel & Conference Centre | 60 Corporation Street | Cape Town | +27 (0) 21 465 7050
---
Love this creative take on the traditional Cape Malay bobotie? Visit Trees Restaurant at the Townhouse Hotel to tuck into similarly inventive dishes.
---
Check out our events section for an up-to-date overview of happenings in Cape Town. Also, don’t forget to subscribe to our newsletter and if you have a smartphone, add m.capetownmagazine.com to your home screen for quick access on the go!
Follow us on Twitter, like us on Facebook, join our Google+ circle, connect with us on LinkedIn, check out our photos on Instagram and follow our Pinterest boards for updates on what’s happening in and around the Mother City!
Sumptuous Indian set menu for two
10 unique dishes (and MCC) at Bombay Brasserie
Where else do you get brunch for under R100 in Sea Point?
Taste beer, gin and more made from mead (until June)
Intimate fine dining in an art gallery
A long-table experience with food, music, wine and art
Electrifying circus show for the whole ...
Trapeze, acrobatics, juggling + comedy for all
How healthy is your hair, really?
How to get a free diagnosis + R100 off your first visit
Cape Town’s very own cannabis club, ...
It's like your friend’s living room, just with 85 strains of weed
Local craft beer tasting even ...
Nine craft beers, small-batch Thursdays + a guide for beginners
8 reasons to run these races in a lush ...
Do a marathon, fun run with the fam and explore small towns
Introducing the Whiskey Lounge
Tastings from around the world, guided by an ambassador
Meat appreciation platter at a ...
3 cuts of meat, sizzling side dishes + epic mad-scientist experience
Affordable healthy food at this city ...
Organic fruit and veg, smoothie bowls + small-scale clothes
Spirit tastings and unique cuts at this ...
Bring out your inner mad scientist: experiment with unique spirits + meat cuts
Holistic food + drink at this healthy ...
Sit under the trees and enjoy kombucha cocktails, vegan dishes + a sea view
Unconventional vegan dishes at this ...
From tofu tostadas and kombucha cocktails to MasterChef-level desserts
5 reasons to visit this beach-side ...
Never-ending summer of waffles, hotdogs, cocktails...
Our team’s top picks at the Waffle ...
Beach-side eatery is perfect for kids, adults and dogs alike
Picnic in the Parks, fun workshops for ...
Book a picnic basket, get it delivered to the park + do interactive workshops
At Distiller’s Union you get to also pick the flavour, colour + drink craft beer
Bar Keeper is open on Sundays till ...
Order 1 bottle to many cases online or in store, get it delivered same day, cold
Book out this distillery for your next ...
Make your own at Distillers Union + get craft beer and pizza
Weekend market that has it all
Craft beer, kids playpark, aqua golf, target shooting, donkeys and more
Ever imagined a rock ‘n roll ...
Silent disco, wine barrel tables + rock star murals at Black Elephant Vintners
Kids Party Idea: Take a ride on the ...
BOOK Now and let the outdoor adventure begin!
3+ ways to get your breath back and ...
Classes, courses, retreats on conscious breathing run by the trainers leading the global ...
Get Irie On The Sunset Deck At Strolla ...
Weekend sunsets at Strolla mean live DJs and reggae (Rivertones)
Be a beekeeper for a day at Honeybee ...
Adopt a hive, learn about bees, take a beekeeping course, buy honey
Boutique winery with 6 six cosy tasting nooks. Plus platters, picnics + trails