Moldovan Mămăligă with Sheep Cheese and Sour Cream
Mămăligă cu Brânză de Oi și Smântână
Mămăligă, a cornmeal porridge similar to polenta, is a cornerstone of Moldovan cuisine. This version is served traditionally with salty sheep cheese (brânză de oi) and a generous dollop of thick sour cream (smântână). It's a simple yet incredibly satisfying dish, often served as a side or a main meal, showcasing the essential flavors of Moldovan dairy and grains.
🧂 Ingredients
- 200 g Coarse cornmeal (polenta)
- 800 ml Water
- 1 tsp Salt
- 2 tbsp Butter (optional)
- 150 g Feta cheese or traditional Moldovan sheep cheese (brânză de oi), crumbled
- 200 g Thick sour cream (smântână)
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
In a large, heavy-bottomed saucepan, bring the water and salt to a rolling boil.
💡 Tip: Using a heavy-bottomed pot prevents scorching and ensures even cooking. - 2
Gradually whisk in the cornmeal in a thin, steady stream, stirring constantly to prevent lumps from forming.
💡 Tip: Whisking continuously is key to achieving a smooth mămăligă. - 3
Reduce the heat to low and continue to cook, stirring very frequently with a wooden spoon, for about 30-40 minutes, or until the mămăligă is thick, smooth, and pulls away from the sides of the pot.
💡 Tip: The longer you cook and stir, the smoother and more traditional the texture will be. - 4
If using butter, stir it in during the last few minutes of cooking until melted and incorporated.
💡 Tip: Butter adds richness and a smoother finish to the mămăligă. - 5
To serve, you can either spoon the mămăligă directly onto plates or invert the pot onto a serving board to create a rustic, round shape. Serve immediately.
💡 Tip: Traditionally, mămăligă is served hot and can be cut with a string or a knife. - 6
Top each serving generously with crumbled sheep cheese and a dollop of sour cream.
💡 Tip: The salty cheese and creamy sour cream are essential accompaniments that balance the cornmeal.
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓The consistency of mămăligă can be adjusted by adding more water for a softer porridge or cooking it longer for a firmer texture.
- ✓If you can't find sheep cheese, a good quality feta cheese is a suitable substitute.
- ✓Leftover mămăligă can be chilled, cut into squares, and then fried or baked.
✨ Twist Ideas
Inspiration for your own version of this recipe
- Serve with garlic sauce (mujdei) on the side.
- Add finely chopped dill or chives to the sour cream before serving.
- For a sweeter version, serve with fruit preserves or honey.