DINNER IN 15 MINUTES
PANTRY-FRIENDLY
1
Step 1
Bring the water and salt to the boil in a pot.
DINNER IN 15 MINUTES
PANTRY-FRIENDLY
BREAKFAST
Maize Meal Porridge
Smooth South African maize meal porridge (soft porridge) with milk and sugar. A cheap, warming 15-minute breakfast for 4.
Total time15 min
YieldServes 4
DietVegetarian
Shopping5 ingredients
DifficultyEasy
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Everything you need, in order.
Check ingredients as you gather them, then work through 4 calm, clearly numbered steps.
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Ingredients
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Method
4 steps · about 15 minutes total
2
Step 2
Whisk in the maize meal slowly, stirring all the time to stop lumps forming.
3
Step 3
Turn down the heat, cover and simmer for 10 minutes, stirring now and then, until thick and smooth.
4
Step 4
Serve with milk and sugar, honey or a knob of butter.
Before you serve
Cooking notes & good-to-know answers.
Small details for confident timing, useful swaps, and safer leftovers.
Cooking notes
Whisk continuously while adding the maize meal for a smooth porridge.
Add more water for a softer, runnier porridge.
Stir in a little peanut butter or cinnamon for variety.
Good to know
Soft porridge uses more water and is served for breakfast; stiff pap uses less water and is served with stews and braai meat.
Add the maize meal gradually while whisking, or mix it with a little cold water first.
Maize is naturally gluten free, but check the packet if you are sensitive to cross-contamination.
About this recipe
Soft maize meal porridge, often called soft porridge or slap pap, is a staple South African breakfast. It is cheap, warming and ready in about 15 minutes.
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