Ugandan Millet Porridge with Tamarind
Bushera
A traditional Ugandan breakfast porridge made from millet flour, with a unique tangy flavor from tamarind. It's often sweetened and can be enriched with peanut or sesame butter for added flavor and nutrition.
🧂 Ingredients
- 0.5 cup Millet flour
- 12 pieces Tamarind(soaked in 1 cup hot water for tamarind juice)
- 5 cups Water(divided)
- 1 tbsp Peanut and sesame butter mix(optional, for richness)
- 2 tbsp Sugar or honey(to taste)
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Prepare the tamarind juice: Soak the tamarind pieces in 1 cup of hot water for about 10 minutes. Mash the tamarind with your hands to extract the pulp. Strain the juice into a jar, discarding the seeds and pulp. You may add a little cold water to the remaining pulp to extract more juice.
- 2
In a saucepan, combine the millet flour with 1 cup of cold water. Whisk until smooth, ensuring there are no lumps.
- 3
Gradually whisk in the strained tamarind juice and the remaining 4 cups of water.
- 4
Place the saucepan over medium heat. Stir continuously with a wooden spoon as the mixture heats up to prevent lumps from forming.
- 5
Bring the porridge to a gentle boil, then reduce the heat to low. Continue to cook, stirring frequently, for about 10-15 minutes, or until the porridge thickens to your desired consistency.
- 6
If using, stir in the peanut and sesame butter mix until well combined.
- 7
Sweeten the porridge with sugar or honey to taste. Stir well.
- 8
Serve hot.
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓The consistency of the porridge can be adjusted by adding more or less water.
- ✓Ensure continuous stirring, especially as it thickens, to prevent sticking and lumps.
- ✓If you don't have tamarind, you can omit it, but it adds a characteristic tangy flavor.
✨ Twist Ideas
Inspiration for your own version of this recipe
- Some variations use fermented millet flour for a more complex flavor.
- Serve with milk or a drizzle of honey.