Vegetarian bobotie

Ingredients

For the spice mix

• half a cinnamon stick

• 2 tsp cumin seeds

• 1 tsp coriander seeds

• 2 cardamom pods

• ½ tsp fenugreek seeds

• 1 tsp mild paprika

• 2 cloves

• 1 tsp allspice or 6 allspice berries.

• 2 tsp chilli powder (optional)

For the bobotie

• 100g/3½oz macadamia nuts (unsalted peanuts can also be used)

• 50g/2oz blanched almonds

• 2 tsp vegetable oil

• 1 tsp butter

• 2 medium onions, chopped

• 2 cloves garlic, finely chopped

• 2 cayenne chillies (the small green ones), de-seeded and finely chopped

• 2.5cm/1in fresh ginger, peeled and chopped, or grated finely

• 2 large carrots, chopped

• 2 tsp spice mix or curry powder

• 2 slices of white bread soaked in 100ml/4fl oz milk

• 100g/3½oz ready-to-eat dried apricots, quartered

• ½ lemon, juice only

• 4 lemon leaves, bay leaves or the zest of 1 lemon

• salt and freshly ground black pepper

For the topping

• 150ml/5fl oz milk, plain yoghurt, or sour cream

• 2 small free-range eggs

• salt and freshly ground black pepper