Here's Izelle Hoffman's healthy bobotie!

Bobotie, we all grew up with it, our moms and grans made it, but they never made it like this!

Healthy Bobotie

Prep time: 15 minutes

Baking time: 40 minutes

Servings: 6–8

2 tsp olive oil

1 red salad onion, chopped

2 tsp crushed garlic

1.25 kg extra-lean beef mince 

¼ cup lemon juice

¼ cup raw honey

1 tsp ground cloves

1 Tbsp Oryx desert salt

1 Tbsp curry powder

2 tsp ground turmeric

5 bay leaves, finely crushed

100 g raisins 

2 eggs, whisked

6 eggs

1 cup unsweetened almond milk

3 whole bay leaves

1. Preheat the oven to 180 °C and spray an ovenproof dish with non-stick cooking spray.
2. Heat the olive oil in a big frying pan and fry the onion and garlic until golden brown.
3. Add the mince and fry until browned, then remove the pan from the heat.
4. Add the lemon juice, honey, spices, raisins and whisked eggs to the mince. Stir well.
5. Place the mince mixture in the greased dish and compact with a large spoon.
6. Beat the 6 eggs and almond milk in a mixing bowl and pour over the mince. 
7. Finish off with the whole bay leaves and bake for 40 minutes or until the egg is set.

Note: Serve with yellow rice and freshly sliced banana. Homemade chutney rounds it off perfectly.

(Inspired by Mom’s recipe, one of my all-time favorites)

Why do we make use of these ingredients:

Turmeric  Curcumin is a natural anti-inflammatory compound found in turmeric that can be absorbed up to 2 000 per cent in combination with black pepper and/or an oil base such as olive oil. Turmeric also drastically increases the antioxidant capacity of the body and optimises function of the liver, the body’s primary organ of detoxification.

Cloves  Cloves are anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and antimicrobial, and help treat digestive issues. They also preserve bone density and give relief from inflammation and pain.

Oryx Salt What is the purpose of adding salt during cooking? It’s to enhance flavour, right? So why not start by using a good-quality salt to do the job? Sun-dried and unrefined with no additives will bring out the best in your food in the healthiest way possible.

Raw Honey Salt needs sweet and vice versa to enhance taste and flavour. So when you add sweetness, choose a sweetness that has a healing effect on your body and health. Raw honey is antiviral and anti-fungal, and contains powerful antioxidants. Its helps ward off allergies, stabilise blood pressure and balance blood sugar levels. It also boosts the immune system and promotes digestive health.

Garlic Antiviral, antifungal and anti-inflammatory, garlic assists in detoxification and boosting the metabolism, and is a natural dewormer that kills parasites. I use both black and white fresh garlic, and keep dried garlic powder and flakes in my pantry.

Olive Oil We all have our reasons why we prefer certain oils, but without a doubt my oil base of choice is olive oil, specifically for its amazing health benefits. Olive oil helps reduce inflammation and prevent osteoporosis, and is essential for bone health because it assists in the absorption of calcium and the mineralisation of bones, all of which are qualities I look for in a product, given my hip dysplasia and related joint pain.

Onion Onions are a natural antibiotic and antiseptic, so are a big YES, especially in winter. They purify the blood, regulate blood sugar levels and improve digestion. They are also anti-inflammatory. In addition to fresh onions, in my pantry you will find dried onion powder and flakes.

Ground Black Pepper Why do we add pepper to our food? When I ask this during cooking demonstrations, I always get the most interesting answers, but mostly people cannot tell me why they add pepper to their meals. My reason? It increases nutrient absorption and improves digestion, so you can get the most out of every meal, every time.

Lemons Although themselves acidic, citrus fruits such as lemons and limes have an alkalising effect on the body. They are also loaded with vitamin C. Vitamin C content is always highest when the fruit is freshly cut. A squeeze of love in the shape of a lemon or lime, who knew?

Listen to our chat about the ingredients here: