Patrick Oconnell
Stiff pap, also known as stywe pap, is a traditional South African porridge made from maize flour. It is often served with a variety of toppings and sides, including meat, vegetables, and cheese. One popular way to cook stiff pap with cheese is to first prepare the stiff pap by boiling water, adding maize meal, and stirring until smooth. Then, crumbled feta cheese and mozzarella cheese blocks are added to the porridge, creating a delicious combination of flavours and textures. This dish can be enjoyed as a savoury breakfast or a hearty side.
How to cook stiff pap with cheese
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Ingredients | maize meal, maize flour, water, salt, butter, cheese |
| Cooking utensils | Large saucepan, balloon whisk |
| Cooking instructions | Boil water, add maize meal, stir, add butter, add cheese |
| Serving suggestions | Fry squares of stiff pap with cheese in butter, drizzle with maple syrup |
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Prepare maize meal
To prepare maize meal, you will need maize flour, also known as mealie meal. First, pour water into a saucepan and add salt. Bring the water to a boil, then reduce the heat. Next, gradually add the maize meal and stir until smooth. You can use a balloon whisk to get rid of any lumps.
Cover the saucepan and reduce the heat to the lowest setting. You can give the porridge an occasional stir to prevent it from sticking to the pot. After 20 to 30 minutes, the porridge should be ready. At this point, you can add butter and stir it through. If you're making stiff pap, you can also add grated cheese and fresh cream, stirring to combine.
For a more savoury maize meal, you can add chopped tomatoes, onions, and spices like garlic powder, paprika, and thyme. You could also add in some grated cheese, or serve the maize meal with a cheese sauce made from Amul cheese and milk. Alternatively, you can let the maize meal cool, then slice it into squares. Dip these squares into beaten egg, then into grated cheese, and fry until golden on both sides.
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Add water and boil
To cook stiff pap with cheese, you'll need to start by adding water to a saucepan and bringing it to a boil. The amount of water you use will depend on the consistency you prefer for your pap. A good starting point is to use 3 cups of water for every 250 ml (or 1 cup) of maize meal. So, for a larger batch, you might start with 500 ml of water and adjust as needed.
Once you've measured out your water, pour it into your saucepan and place it on your stove over medium to high heat. Cover the saucepan and wait for the water to come to a rolling boil. This should take just a few minutes, depending on your stove and the size of your saucepan.
While you're waiting for the water to boil, you can prepare the other ingredients. Gather your maize meal, cheese, and any additional seasonings or ingredients you plan to use. Grate or crumble your cheese ahead of time so that it's ready to go when you need it.
Once the water is boiling, it's time to add the maize meal. Start by slowly pouring in half of your maize meal. Use a whisk or a wooden spoon to stir the mixture continuously as you pour. This will help prevent lumps from forming. Keep stirring until the maize meal is fully incorporated and the mixture is smooth.
Reduce the heat to medium-low and cover the saucepan again. Leave the pap to cook for 8 to 10 minutes. This cooking time allows the maize meal to absorb the water and soften.
After this initial cooking time, you can gradually add the remaining maize meal. Stir vigorously as you add it to ensure a smooth and lump-free consistency.
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Stir in cheese
When the pap is almost ready, you'll want to start preparing the cheese. Grate or shred your chosen cheese; cheddar, gouda, or a mix of both are popular options. You'll need about 1 to 2 cups of grated cheese for every 2 cups of maize meal. Once the pap has reached the desired consistency, it's time to stir in the cheese. Start by reducing the heat to low; you don't want the pap to burn or stick to the pot at this stage. Gradually add the grated cheese to the pap, stirring continuously with a wooden spoon or a sturdy spatula. Make sure the cheese is evenly distributed and well combined with the pap. Continue stirring until the cheese has melted and incorporated into the pap, creating a deliciously cheesy mixture. You might need to add a little extra liquid (milk, butter, or even water) if the mixture becomes too thick or dry; this will help maintain a smooth and creamy consistency. Finally, taste and adjust your seasoning, adding salt, pepper, or even a pinch of chili powder if you want a spicy kick.
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Simmer and season
To make stiff pap with cheese, you'll need to simmer the maize meal and season it with salt, butter or margarine, and cheese. Here's a step-by-step guide:
First, bring 3 cups of water to a rapid boil in a large saucepan. Add half of the maize meal, cover the saucepan, and reduce the heat to medium-low. Leave the pap to cook for 8 to 10 minutes.
Next, gradually add the remaining maize meal while stirring vigorously. You can use a balloon whisk to stir and mash the mixture until smooth. Continue adding the maize meal and stirring until you've reached the desired consistency.
Reduce the heat to the lowest setting and replace the lid. Let the pap steam for 10 to 15 minutes. This step helps develop the texture and flavour of the stiff pap.
After steaming, remove the lid and give the pap a stir. If it looks too dry, add a little more water and stir again. At this point, you can season the pap with salt and butter. Add 1 to 2 tablespoons of butter and stir it through.
For a cheesy pap, stir in some grated cheddar cheese. You can also add fresh cream for a creamier texture. Keep stirring to prevent the pap from sticking to the pot or scorching. Allow the pap to simmer for an additional 10 to 15 minutes.
Finally, remove the pap from the heat and cover it. Let it sit until you're ready to serve. Stiff pap with cheese is best served warm.
You can also get creative with additional seasonings and ingredients. Some recipes suggest adding spices like garlic powder, thyme, or paprika, while others include vegetables like tomatoes, onions, or sweetcorn. Feel free to experiment and adjust the recipe to your taste preferences.
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Serve warm
To serve stiff pap with cheese warm, you can try one of the following methods:
Warm and Cheesy Pap
First, cook the maize meal with water for 20 to 25 minutes, stirring often. Next, add fresh cream and grated cheddar cheese, continuing to stir to prevent sticking. Add salt and butter or margarine, then let the mixture simmer for 10 to 15 minutes. Remove from heat, cover, and keep aside until serving. Serve warm.
Stywe Pap with Corn and Cheese
Boil four mealies (corn) on the cob. Cut the kernels from the cob and stir half of them through the stywe pap, along with 200g of grated mature cheddar. Serve the porridge on plates, topped with the remaining corn kernels and a sprinkle of extra grated cheddar.
Krummelpap with Spinach, Sour Cream, and Parmesan
Prepare the krummelpap and spoon it into serving bowls. Top each bowl with fresh baby spinach leaves and a spoonful of sour cream. Finely grate 100g of parmesan cheese and sprinkle it on top.
Stywe Pap with Feta and Mozzarella
Prepare the stywe pap by cooking the maize meal with water and salt. Once cooked, add crumbled feta cheese to the porridge and mix well. Then, take slices of mozzarella cheese, place them in the centre of the porridge, and form balls by covering them with the porridge. Serve warm.
Stywe Pap with Cheese Coating
Slice the prepared stywe pap into squares or your preferred size. Beat two eggs in a bowl and finely grate 100g of parmesan cheese. Dip the stywe pap slices into the egg and then coat them with the grated cheese. Fry these in a saucepan until golden on both sides. Serve warm on plates with a drizzle of maple syrup.
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Frequently asked questions
You will need maize meal, water, butter, salt, and cheese. You can use a variety of cheeses, such as cheddar, mozzarella, parmesan, or feta.
First, bring water to a boil in a saucepan. Add salt and gradually add the maize meal, stirring continuously. Reduce the heat and let the pap cook for about 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
You can add the cheese towards the end of the cooking process. After the pap has cooked for about 20-25 minutes, you can add fresh cream and grated cheese, stirring well to prevent sticking. You can also add butter and any desired spices.
After adding the cheese, let the mixture simmer for an additional 10 to 15 minutes. Then, remove it from the heat and keep it covered until serving.
Yes, you can customize your stiff pap with cheese by adding various ingredients. Some options include onions, tomatoes, garlic, spices, or even meat like bacon or lamb. You can also fry the cooked pap in an egg and cheese coating for a crispy texture.
