Nshima (Nsima, Shima, Sima) is Zambia's
Fufu-like staple, very similar to the Sadza of Zimbabwe and the
Ugali of Kenya. It is usually made from maize (corn), but can
also be prepared from flour or meal ground from other grains
(millet, sorghum) or cassava tuber. Nshima is always eaten with a
soup or stew or sauce, which is called the ndiwo. The combination
of nshima and ndiwo is the only thing that most Zambians call a
real meal. The ndiwo is sometimes called the "relish",
but it is more than that: the ndiwo is to the nshima what the
meat is to the potatoes. One common ndiwo is a greens and peanut
dish called Ifisashi. Other ndiwo dishes are made from various
sorts of fish, meat, beans, or peas.
4 - 6 cups cornmeal, corn flour, or
ground maize (one cup per serving is sufficient)
water
Pour cold water (2½ cups for each cup of
cornmeal) into a large pot. Over high heat, begin to bring to a
boil. After a few minutes, when the water is warm, slowly add the
about half the cornmeal to the water one spoonful at a time,
stirring continuously with a sturdy wooden spoon. Continue
cooking (and stirring) until the mixture begins to boil and
bubble. Reduce heat to medium and cook for a few minutes. Cooking
the mixture over medium heat, add the remaining cornmeal, as
before, sprinkling it spoonful by spoonful as you continue to
stir. It is essential to keep stirring -- if making a large
quantity, it may take one person to hold the pot and another to
use two hands to stir. The nshima should be very thick (no liquid
remaining) and smooth (no lumps). It may reach this point before
all of the remaining cornmeal is added to the pot -- or it may be
necessary to add even more cornmeal than this recipe indicates.
Once the desired consistency is reached, turn off heat, cover the
pot, and allow the nshima to stand for a few minutes before
serving. Serve nshima immediately, hot, with the ndiwo of your
choice. With clean hands, tear bits of nshima off and use them to
scoop up the ndiwo.
Serves 4.
country : Zambia
course : side dish
source : Bing [IRE_tag]