Bobotie (South African Curry Meat Loaf) - cooking recipe

Ingredients

1 cup unsweetened black tea, hot
1/2 cup raisins
1/2 cup dried apricot, chopped
2 tablespoons canola oil
2 garlic cloves, finely chopped
1 yellow onion, peeled & finely chopped
2 teaspoons ground turmeric
2 teaspoons ground coriander
1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon ground fenugreek
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
1/2 teaspoon ground fennel
1 teaspoon sea salt
2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
1 lb lean ground beef
1/4 cup sliced almonds

Preparation

Heat oven to 350\u00b0F.
Combine tea, raisins, and apricots in a bowl; let sit for 30 minutes. Drain, and reserve 1/3 cup soaking liquid; set both aside.
Heat oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add garlic and onion; cook until lightly caramelized, about 8 minutes. Add turmeric, coriander, cayenne, cumin, fenugreek, pepper, fennel, and salt; cook until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add reserved soaked fruit and soaking liquid and vinegar; cook until almost all liquid evaporates, about 2 minutes.
Remove from heat and transfer to a large bowl; add beef, and mix until evenly combined. Transfer meat mixture to a foil-lined baking sheet, and shape into an 8\" x 4\" loaf; press almonds over top of meat loaf, and bake until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the center of the meat loaf reads 160F, about 40 minutes.