Krummelpap
Crumbly Maize Porridge
A staple South African dish, Krummelpap is a drier, crumbly maize porridge, often served as a side dish. It's characterized by its texture, achieved through a specific cooking method, and is typically enriched with butter.
🧂 Ingredients
- 2 cups (approx. 250g) Maize meal (super fine or medium grind)(Super fine maize meal will result in a smoother pap, while medium grind will give a slightly coarser texture. Super fine is traditional for Krummelpap.)
- 3 cups (approx. 720ml) Water
- 50g (approx. 3.5 tablespoons) Butter(Unsalted butter is recommended to control saltiness, but salted can be used if preferred. Add more to taste.)
- 1 teaspoon Salt(Adjust to your preference. You can use sea salt or table salt.)
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
In a medium-sized, heavy-bottomed saucepan, combine the 3 cups of water and 1 teaspoon of salt. Bring the water to a rolling boil over medium-high heat. This should take about 5-7 minutes.
⏱️ 5-7 minutes - 2
Once the water is boiling vigorously, gradually sprinkle in the 2 cups of maize meal while stirring continuously with a wooden spoon or whisk. This prevents lumps from forming. Once all the maize meal is added and incorporated, reduce the heat to the lowest possible setting.
⏱️ 2-3 minutes - 3
Cover the saucepan tightly with a lid. Allow the pap to steam undisturbed for 20 minutes. Do not lift the lid during this time, as the steam is crucial for cooking the maize meal evenly. After 20 minutes, carefully lift the lid. The pap should have absorbed most of the water and have a firm, cake-like appearance. Give it a quick stir to check the consistency; it should be quite dry.
⏱️ 20 minutes - 4
Remove the saucepan from the heat. Add the 50g of butter to the center of the pap. Cover the pot again and let it stand for another 5 minutes. This allows the butter to melt and infuse into the pap. Finally, use a fork to gently break up the pap, creating a crumbly texture. Stir in the melted butter until evenly distributed. Serve immediately.
⏱️ 5-10 minutes
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓The key to Krummelpap is its dry, crumbly texture. Avoid adding extra water unless absolutely necessary, and even then, add it sparingly.
- ✓Krummelpap is an excellent accompaniment to rich stews, curries, or grilled meats (braai). It's designed to absorb sauces and gravies.
- ✓For a richer flavor, you can increase the amount of butter used.
- ✓Ensure your saucepan has a tight-fitting lid to trap the steam effectively.
✨ Twist Ideas
Inspiration for your own version of this recipe
- For added flavor, sauté finely chopped onions until translucent before adding them to the boiling water in Step 1.
- Some enjoy a pinch of black pepper added with the salt.
- A small amount of milk can be used instead of some of the water for a creamier, richer pap, though this deviates from the traditional 'krummel' texture.