Garden to Plate - nsima


Nsima, the staple of much of sub-Saharan Africa.  Basically stodge made from maize meal and water:

First harvest your maize

Remove the maize from the cobs

Dry it in the sun.  This takes longer than you'd think

Winnow

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Take the maize to the hammer mill to be ground into meal

Now you're ready for cooking.
Put a pot of water to heat.  When small bubbles begin to appear on the bottom of the pan, add a scoop of meal and stir well.  If you wait until the bubble begin to rise, your water is too hot and your nsima will be lumpy - beware!


Keep stirring.  When it is bubbling vigorously, put the lid on and turn down the heat.  BE CAREFUL - it burns!  Continue cooking for 15 minutes or so.

Stir again and add more mealie meal

Keep stirring.  It's getting stiff now



Add more mealie meal

 

 

Stir it in well

Until you can stand the cooking stick up in it! Cover and leave to 'rest' until the rest of the meal is ready

Serve with the relish of your choice.  This time, beef stew and green beans.