Creamy Maize Porridge (Printable Version)

A smooth, warming maize porridge ready in 30 minutes. Naturally gluten-free and perfect for breakfast or as a comforting side dish.

# What You'll Need:

01 - 1 cup maize meal (cornmeal or polenta, medium or fine ground)

02 - 4 cups water (or a mixture of water and milk for a creamier texture)

03 - 1/4 teaspoon salt

04 - 1 tablespoon sugar (optional, for a sweet version)

05 - 1 tablespoon butter (optional, for extra richness)

01 - In a medium saucepan, bring the water (or water and milk mixture) to a boil.

02 - Stir in the salt. Gradually add the maize meal in a steady stream, stirring constantly to prevent lumps.

03 - Reduce heat to low, cover partially, and cook, stirring frequently, for about 20-25 minutes until thickened and smooth.

04 - For a sweet version, add sugar and butter near the end of cooking, stirring until fully incorporated.

05 - Serve hot, plain or topped with honey, dried fruits, nuts, or additional butter as desired.

01 -

It's incredibly forgiving and almost impossible to mess up once you know the rhythm
The texture becomes like velvet when you give it the time it needs
It costs pennies to make but tastes like something from a fancy breakfast spot

02 -

Lumps happen when you rush the pouring process, so take your time
The porridge thickens considerably as it cools, so don't worry if it seems thin at first

03 -