Motjoli Pap with Beef Stew
A hearty and comforting dish featuring a thick maize meal porridge (pap) served with a rich, slow-cooked beef stew, a staple in Basotho households.
🧂 Ingredients
- 1 kg Beef chuck(cut into 2-inch cubes)
- 3 tbsp Vegetable oil
- 2 large Onions(chopped)
- 4 cloves Garlic(minced)
- 400 g Tomatoes(canned, diced)
- 500 ml Beef broth
- 2 medium Carrots(peeled and chopped)
- 2 medium Potatoes(peeled and cubed)
- to taste Salt
- to taste Black pepper
- 500 g Maize meal (pap)
- 1.5 l Water(for pap)
- 2 tbsp Butter(for pap)
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Season beef cubes generously with salt and pepper.
- 2
Heat vegetable oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Brown the beef in batches, then set aside.
- 3
Add chopped onions to the pot and sauté until softened, about 5-7 minutes.
- 4
Stir in minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
- 5
Return the beef to the pot. Add diced tomatoes and beef broth. Bring to a simmer, then reduce heat to low, cover, and cook for 1.5 hours.
- 6
Add carrots and potatoes to the stew. Continue to simmer, covered, for another 45 minutes to 1 hour, or until beef is tender and vegetables are cooked through.
- 7
While the stew is finishing, prepare the pap. In a separate pot, bring 1.5 liters of water to a boil. Gradually whisk in the maize meal to avoid lumps.
💡 Tip: Start with a small amount of maize meal to form a thick paste, then gradually add the rest. - 8
Reduce heat to low, cover, and cook for about 20-30 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the pap is thick and cooked through.
💡 Tip: The consistency should be firm but not dry. - 9
Stir in butter into the pap and season with salt to taste. Serve the hot pap with the beef stew spooned over the top.
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓For a deeper flavor, brown the beef well.
- ✓Adjust the consistency of the pap by adding more water if it becomes too thick.
- ✓This stew can be made ahead of time and reheats well.
🔄 Variations
- Add other root vegetables like parsnips or turnips.
- Include a bay leaf or a pinch of dried thyme for added aroma.
- For a spicier stew, add a chopped chili pepper with the onions.