Cornmeal Porridge

Name: Cornmeal Porridge
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 25 min
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: Jamaican
Ingredients: 1 cup fine yellow cornmeal; 3 cups water; 1 cup coconut milk; 100ml condensed milk; 1 tsp vanilla extract; 1 tsp ground nutmeg; 1 cinnamon stick; 1 tsp salt; 2 tbsp sugar or to taste

Cornmeal Porridge (CORN-meal POR-ridge)

Spiced Cornmeal Porridge with Condensed Milk

⏱ Prep Time 25 min

📈 Difficulty Easy

👥 Servings

🔥 Calories 330 kcal

Thick, creamy cornmeal porridge flavored with vanilla, nutmeg, and cinnamon, enriched with condensed milk and served piping hot for breakfast.

Nutrition & Info

Protein 8.0g

Carbs 52.0g

Fat 10.0g

Protein Carbs Fat

Dietary

vegetarian gluten-free nut-free

Allergen Warnings

⚠ dairy

Equipment Needed

heavy saucepan whisk ladle

Presentation Guide

Vessel: deep bowl

Garnishes: condensed milk drizzle, nutmeg sprinkle

Accompaniments: hard dough bread

Ingredients

1 cup fine yellow cornmeal
3 cups water
1 cup coconut milk
100ml condensed milk
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 tsp ground nutmeg
1 cinnamon stick
1 tsp salt
2 tbsp sugar or to taste

Instructions

1
Mix cornmeal with one cup of cold water to form a smooth slurry. This prevents lumps from forming when added to hot liquid.
2
Bring remaining water and coconut milk to a boil in a heavy saucepan. Add cinnamon stick and salt to the boiling liquid.
3
Slowly pour the cornmeal slurry into the boiling liquid while stirring constantly with a whisk to prevent any lumps.
4
Reduce heat to low and cook for fifteen minutes, stirring frequently, until the porridge is thick and smooth.
5
Add condensed milk, vanilla, and nutmeg. Stir well and cook another five minutes until the porridge reaches desired thickness.
6
Serve hot in bowls with an extra drizzle of condensed milk on top. The porridge thickens as it cools so serve immediately.

💡

Did You Know?

In Jamaica, cornmeal porridge is believed to give children strong bones and is often the first solid food given to babies.

Chef's Notes

Equipment Tips

heavy saucepan
whisk
ladle

Garnishing

condensed milk drizzle, nutmeg sprinkle

Accompaniments

hard dough bread

The Story Behind Cornmeal Porridge

Cornmeal porridge is the quintessential Jamaican breakfast comfort food, especially beloved for children. Cornmeal came to Jamaica from the Americas, and Jamaicans transformed it into a rich, spiced porridge that reflects the island's love of warming, nourishing breakfast foods. The addition of condensed milk, a pantry staple across the Caribbean, gives the porridge its distinctive sweetness, while nutmeg and vanilla elevate it far beyond simple corn mush.

🕐 Traditionally enjoyed breakfast, especially for children 📜 Origins: Traditional Jamaican home cooking

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