How to Make Maize Meal Porridge
A creamy South African breakfast porridge made from finely ground white maize (aka mealie meal) finished with butter and warm milk for a velvety bowl.
Servings: 3 people
Ingredients
- 160 g Maize meal 1 cup (super/special, finely ground)
- 1 L Water 4 cups water or (3 cups water + 1 cup milk) (or soy milk)
- ½ tsp Salt
- 1 tbsp Butter or peanut butter for vegan/nutty finish
- Milk and or a pat of butter or cinnamon, sugar/honey (optional)
Instructions
- In a pot, bring 4 cups of water (or half water, half milk) to a boil. Add the salt.
- Slowly sprinkle in the mealie meal while whisking continuously to avoid lumps or you can mix the meal meal with a little bit of cold water before adding it into the boiled water and continue to whiskey until it starts to bubble.
- Reduce heat to very low heat, cover with a lid, and let it cook gently for 30–40 minutes. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
- Stir in butter and sugar (if using). Adjust thickness with a splash of milk if needed. Serve: Hot, with your favourite toppings.
Notes
SERVING SUGGESTIONS
- Traditional way: with a splash of milk + sugar.
- Vegan way: plant milk + peanut butter for added protein
- Rich & warm way: Butter + warm milk + cinnamon + a little sugar/honey
- Savoury style: drizzle of butter + or grated cheese.
- Modern way: Soft cinnamon pears with a splash of cream
Choose the right mealie meal: A finely ground white maize meal creates a much smoother texture than coarse mealie meal. If you're buying it for breakfast porridge, look for "Super" or "Special" on the packet.
Cook it slowly: Once the porridge comes to the boil, reduce the heat, cover with a lid and allow it to simmer gently. Slow cooking gives the maize time to soften completely and creates the best creamy texture.
Adjust the consistency: If your porridge becomes too thick, simply stir in a splash of warm milk or hot water until it reaches your preferred consistency.
To Reheat: The porridge will become much thicker once chilled. Add a splash of milk or water before reheating gently on the stove or in the microwave, stirring until smooth and creamy again.
Serve immediately: Maize meal porridge thickens as it cools, so it's always at its best served hot.
To Store: Allow the porridge to cool completely before transferring it to an airtight container. It will keep well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.