Bobotie phyllo cigars with apple chutney

Bobotie is regarded by many as South Africa’s national dish, for good reason. The combination of sweet, sour, spice and the umami heartiness of the mince encapsulates everything good about South African cuisine.

Bobotie filo cigars served with apple chutney

Serves: makes 11 cigars

Time: 60 minutes

Apple chutney

60g butter

300g Bramley apples, peeled and chopped

100g golden delicious apples, peeled and chopped

1 small onion, finely sliced

½ red chilli, deseeded and finely sliced

150g brown sugar

120ml white wine vinegar

50g Medjool dates, chopped

15g ginger

10g tamarind paste

Bobotie mince

1 slice of white bread

30ml milk

20g butter

1 small onion, sliced

2 garlic cloves, crushed

20g curry powder

5g turmeric powder

5g cumin powder

5g coriander

400g beef mince

90g fruit chutney

50g sultanas

Juice of 1 lemon

6 sheets filo, cut into 4 strips each

100g butter

20g white sesame seeds

20 nigella seeds

1 egg, for egg wash

Salad leaves to serve

Method:

• Preheat your oven to 180 degrees

• In a bowl mix together milk and bread to soften, set aside.

• In a medium-sized pot, place butter. Once melted and at temperature add your

onions, sweating until translucent.

• Add the garlic and spices, cooking for a few minutes.

• Place the mince in the pot, cooking until cooked through

• Follow this by adding your soaked bread slice and the chutney

• Simmer for 20 minutes on medium heat, salting and tasting as you go

• Lastly, add your sultanas and lemon juice

• Now the fun bit, making up your filo cigar

• Take one strip of filo, the shorter end facing you. Brush with melted butter and place

another filo strip on top.

• At the base, place 50g of the spicy mixture. Ensuring to roll tightly, roll up into cigars

• Carry on with the rest of the pastry and filling until you have 11 cigars

• Brush with egg wash and sprinkle with the sesame seeds and nigella seeds

• Bake for 15 minutes or until evenly golden.

• Serve with apple chutney and a side salad