Mamalyga – what is it, step-by-step recipes for cooking from cornmeal and with what to serve

The content of the article

• Porridge mamalyga
• What are they made of?
• How to cook mamalyga
• Hominy recipes
• From corn grits
• Made from cornmeal
• With cheese
• With meat

Mamalyga is considered the national Moldavian, Romanian and Abkhazian dish, but it is also widespread among the peoples of the Caucasus, so it is difficult to say where it appeared for the first time. One thing is clear – the formulation, which does not require much effort in preparation, is widely used. It makes bread and even hearty corn tortillas, which can be used as a basis for snacks. So what is this porridge and how to cook it correctly?

Porridge mamalyga

Mamalyga is a cool porridge made from cornmeal, which has gained popularity due to its versatility, a small number of ingredients necessary for cooking. In addition, it can act as a side dish, in addition to many dishes, is an analogue of Italian polenta. The “second bread” and the traditional Moldavian dish must have the correct, dense consistency – to divide it into pieces, use a thread or a special knife. Therefore, in the cooking process, it is important to clearly follow recipes with step by step photos..

What are they made of?

As a rule, mamalyga is prepared from finely ground cornmeal, water and salt in a cauldron using a wooden stirring stick. In some recipes, butter, onion, and milk are added to the classic version. They serve the finished product with bacon, mushrooms, suluguni cheese, herbs, feta cheese, fish and a huge amount of other products. The presentation will be traditional and mouth-watering, as in the photo, if you put the porridge on a flat wooden dish and cut into identical portions.

How to cook mamalyga

Cooking mamalyga takes about half an hour over low heat, stirring continuously. In water, brought to a boil in a cast-iron cauldron or pot, add flour in a thin stream. It is advisable to pre-dry it in the oven. The wooden stirrer must be moistened in cold water, carefully separate the resulting mass from the walls, let it cool for a couple of minutes and, after shaking the pot several times, put it on a kitchen towel or board.

Hominy recipes

There are several original, proven over the years recipes for delicious Moldavian treats. It is served at a wedding and at a family dinner, traditionally eaten by hand. Having picked up the ideal mamalyga recipe from corn grits or flour, you can diversify your daily diet and improve your culinary skills. The main thing is to master the specifics of cooking and remember the sequence of processes.

From corn grits

• Time: 45 minutes.
• Servings Per Container: 3 servings.
• Calorie dishes: 400 kcal per 100 g.
• Purpose: for breakfast, lunch, dinner.
• Cuisine: Moldavian.
• Difficulty: easy.

One of the classic Moldovan recipes will help to cook mamalyga from corn grits quickly and without difficulty. Groats should be finely ground. So porridge will cook much faster and will look like a cake – dense, not friable, appetizing. Its consistency will turn out to be more homogeneous, will acquire a pleasant texture. It is recommended to cook in a cauldron, pot or thick-walled dishes so that the porridge retains its shape.

Ingredients:

• corn grits – 0.5 tbsp .;
• water – 1 tbsp .;
• vegetable oil – 1 tsp.

Cooking method:

1. Bring water to a boil in a tub or pot.
2. Pour groats. Boil for half an hour, stirring.
3. Reduce heat, simmer under the lid for 15 minutes.
4. Separate the porridge from the walls with a wet spoon, shake the pot.
5. Present with a tray or board.

Made from cornmeal

• Time: 45 minutes.
• Servings Per Container: 6 servings.
• Calorie content: 445 kcal per 100 g.
• Purpose: for breakfast, lunch, dinner.
• Cuisine: Moldavian.
• Difficulty: easy.

The classic mamalyga recipe from cornmeal is a minimum of ingredients, but a pronounced, colorful taste. It should be finely ground, then the porridge will turn out soft, like steamed bread. Before you cook a traditional dish, you need to dry it in the oven. Serve with grated feta cheese, cracklings, herbs or onion fried in butter.

Ingredients:

• corn flour – 400 g;
• water – 1.3 l;
• butter – 2 tbsp. l.

Cooking method:

1. Salt water, bring to a boil.
2. Pour flour through a sieve. Cook for 30 minutes, stirring.
3. Separate the porridge from the walls with a wet spoon, then 10-15 minutes to thicken.
4. Shake the pot, present with a serving plate or board.

With cheese

• Time: 50 minutes.
• Servings Per Container: 4 servings.
• Calorie content: 550 kcal per 100 g.
• Purpose: for breakfast, lunch, dinner.
• Cuisine: Abkhaz.
• Difficulty: easy.

It is customary to cook Abkhaz mamalyga or abysta without salt. It is served with delicious peanut syrzbal nut sauce, yogurt, sour cherry plum sauce, cold milk and even honey. Porridge will get a homogeneous consistency, as in the photo, if you observe the temperature regime and continuously stir it, separating it from the walls of the cauldron. Cheese to taste, preferably hard.

Ingredients:

• corn flour – 3.5 tbsp .;
• milk – 3.5 tbsp .;
• water – 1 tbsp .;
• brine cheese – 600 g.

Cooking method:

1. Pour milk into the pot, slightly dilute with water. Boil.
2. Grate 200 grams of cheese on a coarse grater, add to boiling milk. Cook, stirring, 20 minutes.
3. Add flour. Cook for 20 minutes until thick, stirring constantly.
4. Add the remaining cheese. Knead until porridge and cheese become a homogeneous mass.
5. Cover, simmer for 5 minutes.
6. Serve to the table.

With meat

• Time: 50 minutes.
• Servings Per Container: 2 servings.
• Calorie content: 248 kcal per 100 g.
• Purpose: for lunch, dinner.
• Cuisine: Georgian.
• Difficulty: easy.

In Georgian cuisine, mamalyga is called gomi and is prepared mainly on flour from white corn varieties. It should be coarse, then the dish will acquire a special “Caucasian character”, it will become more delicious, nutritious, healthy. They serve it with fried meat in the broth, and eat it with their hands, breaking off small pieces. In addition, you can offer feta cheese or homemade cheeses..

Ingredients:

• wholemeal corn flour – 1 tbsp .;
• water – 3.5 tbsp .;
• meat broth – 0.5 tbsp .;
• beef – 1 kg;
• onions – 1 pc.;
• vegetable oil – 2 tbsp. l.

Cooking method:

1. Bring the water to a boil in a cauldron.
2. Add flour while stirring. Cook for 20-25 minutes.
3. Separate porridge from the walls with a wet spoon, simmer for 10-15 minutes.
4. Put on a towel or board.
5. Cut meat into large pieces, fry in a heated frying pan in vegetable oil until golden brown.
6. Add chopped onion, fry 3 minutes.
7. Add the broth, salt. Cook over low heat until the broth boils.
8. Serve ready meals to the table.