🇲🇿 Mozambican Cuisine

Xima

Mozambican Cornmeal Porridge

Prep Time 25 min
Servings 4
Difficulty Easy
Calories 226 kcal

A thick, smooth porridge of white cornmeal that serves as the staple carbohydrate base for most Mozambican meals.

Ingredients

  • 2 cups white cornmeal
  • 4 cups water
  • 1 tsp salt

Instructions

  1. 1 Bring water and salt to a rolling boil in a heavy-bottomed pot over high heat.
  2. 2 Slowly pour in cornmeal in a thin stream while stirring vigorously with a long wooden spoon to prevent lumps.
  3. 3 Reduce heat to low and continue stirring constantly for ten to fifteen minutes as the mixture thickens.
  4. 4 The xima is ready when it pulls away cleanly from the sides of the pot and holds its shape on the spoon.
  5. 5 Turn out onto a wet serving plate or bowl, smoothing the top with a wet spoon into a dome shape.
  6. 6 Serve immediately alongside stews, curries, or grilled dishes, tearing off pieces to scoop up sauces.

Did You Know?

Xima is so central to Mozambican life that a meal without it is not considered a real meal by many families.

From The Culinary Codex — http://theculinarycodex.com/dish/mozambican/xima/