Trying to Conceive Recipe
Evening meal
Bobotie-style lentil and beef bake
A lighter take on bobotie: curried mince stretched with brown lentils, baked under a set egg-and-milk topping with bay leaves. Recipes for bobotie differ from family to family — some use lamb, some add raisins, chutney or dried apricot, and this version simply reduces the meat and adds pulses.
- Prep
- 20 min
- Cook
- 45 min
- Total
- 65 min
- Portions
- 6
- Moderate
- Trying to conceive
- Preparing for pregnancy
- High-protein
- Iron-containing
- Fibre-rich
- Freezer-friendly

Make this recipe
Swap an ingredient
Only swaps that keep this recipe pregnancy-safe are offered. Allergen information below updates when you choose one.
Ingredients
For 6 portions. Tick items as you go — nothing is changed for anyone else.
This recipe contains foods that can contribute to a varied and balanced diet during pregnancy.
Method
- Step 1. Heat the oven to 180°C.
- Step 2. Heat the oil in a large pan and soften the onions for 8 minutes, then add the garlic for a minute.
- Step 3. Add the mince and brown it well, breaking up any lumps, until no pink remains.
- Step 4. Stir in the curry powder and turmeric and cook for a minute, then add the lentils, apple, sultanas, chutney and the soaked bread. Mix well and season with black pepper.
- Step 5. Spoon the mixture into an ovenproof dish and press it down level.
- Step 6. Beat the eggs with the milk and pour over the top. Tuck in the bay leaves.
- Step 7. Bake for 35–45 minutes until the topping is set, golden and no longer runny in the centre.
- Step 8. Rest for 5 minutes, remove the bay leaves and serve with rice and a tomato-and-onion salad.
Allergens for your selection
- Contains: Eggs
- Contains: Milk
- Contains: Cereals containing gluten
Ingredient brands and substitutions can change allergen content. Always check the labels on the products you buy.
