Mămăligă, a beloved Romanian and Moldovan dish, is cornmeal at its finest. With humble origins, this simple yet delicious recipe has been a staple in such region’s cuisine for generations. Enjoy the taste of Romanian tradition with each bite.
| Country | Romania Moldova |
| Degree of Difficulty | Easy |
| Type of Food | Main Course |
| Cooking Time | 30-40 minutes |
| Preparation Time | 5 minutes |
| Serving Size | 4 servings |
Ingredients:
- 1 cup of cornmeal
- 4 cups of water
- 1 teaspoon of salt
- 2 tablespoons of butter
- 1 cup of grated Romanian telemea cheese (or feta cheese as a substitute)
- Sour cream for serving
Steps or Directions:
- Start by bringing 4 cups of water to a boil in a medium-sized pot.
- Add a teaspoon of salt to the boiling water.
- Gradually sprinkle the cornmeal into the boiling water while stirring continuously to avoid lumps.
- Lower the heat and continue to stir the mixture for about 30-40 minutes until it thickens and the cornmeal is fully cooked. The mămăligă should pull away from the sides of the pot.
- Remove the pot from the heat and let it sit for a few minutes.
- Serve the mămăligă on a plate while it’s still warm. You can shape it into rounds or use a bowl for a more creative presentation.
- Top with grated Romanian telemea cheese (or feta cheese) and a generous dollop of sour cream.
- Optionally, you can also drizzle melted butter over the top.
Nutritional Information: (Per Serving)
| Calories | 270 kcal |
| Fat | 10g |
| Protein | 8g |
| Carbohydrates | 38g |
Optional Additions or Substitutions:
- Some like to serve mămăligă with a fried egg on top for added protein.
- Instead of telemea cheese, you can use feta as a substitute.
Tips or Variations:
- Traditional mămăligă is firm and can be sliced for serving, but you can make it softer or firmer according to your preference by adjusting the cornmeal-to-water ratio.
- For a complete experience, enjoy your mămăligă with a glass of Romanian/Moldovan wine!
Other Countries Where They Also Make This Recipe:
- While similar dishes exist in many cultures, mămăligă holds a special place in Romanian and Moldovan cuisines.
Allergen Checklist:
- Contains dairy (cheese and sour cream).
- Suitable for vegetarians.