Putu pap / krummelpap / crumbly porridge

Pap – a porridge made from maize (corn) meal – is the staple food of southern Africa. Putu pap is also known as krummelpap, which means "crumbly porridge". It is made with very little water, giving it a dry and crumbly texture. It is usually combined with a tomato-and-onion sauce, such as sheba sauce or chakalaka sauce, and served as a side dish together with barbecued meat or boerewors (braaivleis). People in the Western Cape tend to eat krummelpap with milk and sugar for breakfast.

4 generous portions

Ingredients 2½ cups (600 ml) boiling water 1 teaspoon (5 ml) salt 2½ cups (400 gram) Maize Meal A knob of butter

Method Pour boiling water and salt into saucepan with a thick base and a lid. Bring to boil. Add the maize meal to the boiling water. Close the lid, without stirring. Reduce heat. Simmer gently for 5 minutes. Remove lid and stir well with a wooden spoon or a large kitchen fork. Replace lid, reduce heat and steam for about half an hour, until done, but be careful not to burn it. Fluff with a fork or wooden spoon a few times during cooking. Notes: You can add frozen corn to the pap, before steaming it. Add a knob of butter to the pap shortly before fluffing it for the last time, this adds to its flavour.

#pap