How to Cook (Make) - Stiff Porridge (Maize Meal)- A South African Favourite Recipe for Grits
Maize Porridge - Stuiwe Pap
A staple food throughout Southern Africa. It is made from ground Maize kernels, another name for it is Polenta.
It comes in two colours, the most sought after amoungst the Africans is white. The other is yellow which is more popular with the Italian and other European countries.
How to cook it
Maize meal, is that smooth white creamy porridge served with milk sugar and a dollop of butter.
This is the winter breakfast cereal that most of us grew up with.
Ingredients
1 cup of maize meal
3 cups of water
Salt to taste
Method
Mix the cup of cold water to the maize meal and form a smooth paste
Place two cups of water in a bowl with the salt in the microwave. Microwave the water until it boils.
.Add the mixture to the boiling water and mix thoroughly using a wooden spoon, make sure that all the lumps, dissolved.
Place in the microwave and cook it on high for 3-4 minutes until it is cooked, stir occasionally.
Serve hot as suggested above.
The traditional Stiff Porridge at the Braai
This is the same basic maize meal, the difference this is used to go with the meat at the next Barbecue or (Braai that is another subject that will be covered very shortly.)
Ingredients
1 cup of maize meal
2 cups of water
Salt to taste
1 tablespoon of butter
Method
Place the water in a large bowl in the microwave, and cook till boiling.
Add the salt to the water and mix it till disolved.
Slowly add the maize meal to the water mixing it while adding, useing a wooden spoon. Mix thouroughly all the maize is mixed, then mix in the butter.
Microwave on high for 3 minutes, remove and mix thouroughly. The porridge should be very thick and stiff.
Microwave for another 3 minutes, mix and cover with a lid. Let stand for 2 minutes.
Serve with sausages, stews, casseroles and curries. A good change from mashed potatoes and rice.
Sufficient to serve 4 people - depending on there appetites.
