Mămăligă

Mămăligă

Mămăligă (muh-muh-LEE-guh)

Romanian Polenta

Prep Time 5 min
📈 Difficulty Easy
👥 Servings
4
🔥 Calories 224 kcal

Golden, creamy cornmeal porridge served as a staple alongside stews and cheese — the soul food of Romanian cuisine.

Nutrition & Info

220 kcal per serving
Protein 5.0g
Carbs 42.0g
Fat 4.0g
Protein Carbs Fat

Dietary

vegetarian gluten-free nut-free

Equipment Needed

heavy pot wooden spoon

Presentation Guide

Vessel: wooden board

Garnishes: sour cream, crumbled brânză

Accompaniments: stews, cheese, eggs

Instructions

  1. 1

    Bring salted water to a rolling boil in a heavy-bottomed pot.

  2. 2

    Add cornmeal in a slow, steady stream while stirring constantly to prevent lumps.

  3. 3

    Reduce heat to low and stir continuously for 25-30 min until very thick and pulling away from sides.

  4. 4

    Turn out onto a wooden board. Traditionally sliced with a string or thread, not a knife.

💡

Did You Know?

Before the potato reached Romania, mămăligă was the daily bread of peasant families — often the only dish on the table, eaten three times a day.

Chef's Notes

Equipment Tips

  • heavy pot
  • wooden spoon

Garnishing

sour cream, crumbled brânză

Accompaniments

stews, cheese, eggs

The Story Behind Mămăligă

Corn arrived in Romania in the 17th century and mămăligă quickly replaced millet porridge as the staple food of rural communities. For centuries it was peasant sustenance, but today it is celebrated at every level of Romanian dining, from rustic farmhouses to Michelin-starred restaurants.

🕐 Traditionally enjoyed any meal 📜 Origins: 17th century, after corn introduction

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