Nsima is Zambia's staple food, made from maize meal (mealie meal) and water. Getting the texture right — firm enough to mold with your hand, soft enough to swallow easily — takes a little practice, but the method itself is simple.
What you'll need
- 2 cups of mealie meal
- 4 cups of water, divided
- A heavy-bottomed pot and a wooden mixing stick (mutwiko)
Steps
1. Boil the water. Bring 3 cups of water to a rolling boil in your pot.
2. Make a thin porridge first. Mix the remaining cup of water with about a third of the mealie meal to form a smooth paste, then stir it into the boiling water. Keep stirring until it thickens into a loose porridge — this base is called phala.
3. Add the rest of the meal gradually. Reduce the heat to medium-low. Add the remaining mealie meal a little at a time, stirring firmly after each addition with the mutwiko, pressing out any lumps.
4. Cook it through. Once all the meal is in, cover and let it cook for 3-5 minutes, then give it one final hard stir to bring it together into a smooth, firm mass.
5. Mold and serve. Using a wet spoon or wet hands, shape the nsima into rounds and serve hot alongside relish (ndiwo) such as vegetables, beans, or meat.