Nsima (Cornmeal Swallow)
Nsima is a traditional staple food in many African countries, particularly in Malawi, Zambia, and parts of Tanzania and Mozambique. It is a thick, porridge-like dish made from maize flour (also known as cornmeal) and is typically served with various relishes such as meat, vegetables, or fish. Nsima is easy to make and provides a filling and nutritious base for a variety of flavorful accompaniments.
Ingredients
- 2 cups maize flour (cornmeal)
- 4 cups water
Ingredients for 3 servings (1.2 kg) · the original recipe
Method
- 1
Measure out the maize flour and set it aside.
- 2
In a large cooking pot, bring the water to a boil.
Stovetop - 3
Once the water is boiling, reduce the heat to low and gradually add the maize flour to the pot while stirring continuously with a wooden spoon or a stiff whisk. Make sure to pour the flour in a slow, steady stream to prevent clumping.
- 4
Keep stirring the mixture vigorously to combine the maize flour and water thoroughly. This step is crucial to avoid lumps from forming. Continue stirring for about 5 minutes until the mixture starts to thicken.
- 5
Increase the heat to medium-low and cover the pot with a lid. Allow the mixture to cook for about 10–15 minutes. This cooking time allows the maize flour to cook fully and eliminates the raw taste.
- 6
Remove the lid and stir the mixture again, making sure to scrape the sides and bottom of the pot to prevent sticking or burning.
- 7
Continue cooking the nsima, stirring frequently, for another 10–15 minutes until it reaches the desired consistency. It should have a thick, smooth texture similar to mashed potatoes or stiff porridge. If it's too thick, you can add a little more water and continue stirring until you achieve the desired consistency.
- 8
Once the nsima is cooked to your liking, remove it from the heat and let it sit for a few minutes to cool slightly before serving.
- 9
Serve the nsima hot with your choice of relishes such as meat, vegetables, or fish. Popular relishes include chicken stew, beef and vegetable stew, fried fish, or a variety of sautéed greens.
Stovetop
Recipe from Wikibooks Cookbook, written by Wikibooks contributors. Used under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence; the ingredient list and method on this page are taken from that page and edited (its notes, tips and variations are not reproduced), and are available under the same licence. The macros, equipment tags and scaling are Ma Kitchen’s own and are not the source’s figures. Ma Kitchen is not affiliated with or endorsed by Wikibooks Cookbook. Copied on 2026-11-12.
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