Chimodho — Print Recipe — The Culinary Codex

A dense, naturally sweet bread made from maize meal steamed in banana leaves or foil, a traditional accompaniment to stews and relishes.

Ingredients

1 Mix maize meal, wheat flour, sugar, salt, and baking powder together in a large bowl until uniform.
2 Gradually add warm water, stirring continuously to form a thick but pourable batter with no lumps.
3 Prepare banana leaves by passing them over a flame briefly to make them pliable, or use foil squares.
4 Spoon batter into the centre of each leaf or foil piece and fold into neat parcels, sealing edges tightly.
5 Place parcels on a steamer rack in a large pot with boiling water, ensuring water does not touch the bread.
6 Steam covered for forty-five minutes until firm. Unwrap and serve warm with stew or relish.

Did You Know?

Chimodho was traditionally prepared by women heading to work in fields, as it stayed fresh and portable throughout the day.