Ugandan Millet Porridge with Tamarind
A traditional Ugandan breakfast porridge made from millet flour, enriched with the tangy flavor of tamarind and the creaminess of peanut butter. This porridge is both nutritious and satisfying, providing sustained energy for the day.
🧂 Ingredients
- 6 tbsp Millet flour
- 12 pieces Tamarind pulp(or 2-3 tbsp tamarind paste)
- 6 cups Water
- 1 tbsp Peanut butter (smooth or crunchy)(optional, for added richness)
- Sugar or honey(to taste (optional))
- Milk(for serving (optional))
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Prepare the tamarind juice: If using whole tamarind, unshell it, rinse, and place in a saucepan with 1 cup of hot water. Boil for 5 minutes. Strain the hot juice into a jar. Add another cup of cold water to the tamarind pulp, mash with your hands to extract more paste, and pour the juice into the jar. Repeat with another half cup of cold water. Discard the seeds and pulp.
💡 Tip: You can also use 2-3 tablespoons of pre-made tamarind paste. - 2
Strain the tamarind juice back into the saucepan. Add the remaining 5 cups of water.
- 3
In a separate bowl, whisk the millet flour with about 1 cup of the tamarind-water mixture until smooth, ensuring there are no lumps.
💡 Tip: Sifting the millet flour first can help achieve a smoother consistency. - 4
Pour the millet flour slurry into the saucepan with the tamarind water. Whisk well.
- 5
Place the saucepan over medium heat and bring to a gentle boil, stirring continuously with a wooden spoon. Continue stirring as the porridge thickens.
⏱️ 5 minutes💡 Tip: Constant stirring is key to achieving a smooth porridge and preventing it from sticking to the bottom. - 6
Once the porridge starts to bubble and thicken, reduce the heat to low and cook for another 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
⏱️ 5 minutes - 7
If using, stir in the peanut butter and sweetener (sugar or honey) until well combined.
- 8
Remove from heat and serve hot. Optionally, pour into a thermos to keep warm. Serve with milk if desired.
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓For a thinner consistency, add more water.
- ✓If you don't have tamarind, a squeeze of lemon juice can provide a similar tanginess.
- ✓This porridge is excellent for infants and lactating mothers due to its nutritional content.
🔄 Variations
- Some variations include adding a pinch of salt for flavor balance.
- A small amount of sesame butter can be used in place of or in addition to peanut butter.