South African-inspired leftover bobotie and yellow rice casserole

This unique and South African-inspired casserole brings together the flavours of leftover bobotie and freshly-made fragrant yellow rice, creating a fusion dish that celebrates the rich and diverse culinary traditions of South Africa. It’s a delicious way to use up Christmas leftovers.

Ingredients

For the Bobotie Layer:

• 2 cups leftover bobotie
• 1 cup cooked vegetables (butternut squash, sweet potatoes, or peas), chopped
• 1/2 cup chutney (apricot or fruit chutney works well)
• 1/4 cup toasted almonds, chopped (optional for garnish)
• Salt and pepper to taste

For the Yellow Rice Layer:

• 1 cup long-grain white rice
• 1 3/4 cups water
• 1/2 teaspoon turmeric powder
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1/4 teaspoon ground coriander
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cardamom (optional)
• 2 tablespoons butter or vegetable oil
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
• 1/4 cup raisins (optional, for sweetness)
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro (coriander leaves) for garnish

Method for Yellow Rice

1. Rinse the rice thoroughly under cold running water until the water runs clear. This helps remove excess starch and prevents the rice from becoming too sticky.
2. In a small bowl, mix together the turmeric powder, ground cinnamon, ground cumin, ground coriander, and ground cardamom (if using). This spice blend will give the rice its signature yellow colour.
3. In a large saucepan or pot, melt the butter (or heat the vegetable oil) over medium heat. Add the rinsed and drained rice to the pot and sauté it for 2-3 minutes, stirring frequently until the rice is well coated and slightly toasted.
4. Sprinkle the spice blend over the sautéed rice and continue to cook for another 1-2 minutes, stirring to evenly distribute the spices.
5. Pour in the water and season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. If you want to add a touch of sweetness to the rice, stir in the optional raisins at this stage.
6. Bring the mixture to a boil over high heat, then reduce the heat to low, cover the pot with a tight-fitting lid, and simmer for about 15-20 minutes. Be careful not to lift the lid during this time to ensure even cooking and fluffy rice.
7. After simmering, remove the pot from the heat but keep the lid on. Allow the rice to steam for an additional 10 minutes. This steaming process helps create light and fluffy grains.
8. Remove from heat and prepare the casserole.

Method for Casserole

1. Preheat your oven to 190°C. Grease a baking dish or casserole dish with cooking spray or butter.
2. In a mixing bowl, combine the leftover bobotie with the chopped cooked vegetables. Mix in the chutney to add a touch of sweetness and a burst of flavor. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
3. Spread the bobotie mixture evenly across the bottom of the greased baking dish. This forms the savory base of your casserole.
4. Spoon the yellow rice on top of the bobotie layer, ensuring an even distribution.
5. Sprinkle chopped fresh coriander (cilantro) over the yellow rice.
6. Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and place it in the preheated oven. Bake for 20-25 minutes or until the casserole is heated through.
7. Once the casserole is heated, remove it from the oven. Optionally, garnish with chopped toasted almonds.
8. Allow the casserole to cool slightly before serving.