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Mamalyga
Cornmeal Pudding ( Mamaliga )
Mamalyga
Traditionally, Moldavian cornmeal pudding is cooked slowly over a low fire and stirred with a wooden spoon reserved especially for this dish. Mamalyga lovers also insist that the cooled pudding should never be cut with a knife, but with string, so as not to destroy its texture.
Ingredients
5 oz (150 g) yellow cornmeal
1 pint (600 ml) boiling water
1½ teaspoons salt
1½ oz (45 g) butter
½ pint (300 ml) cold water
Details
Serves: 4
Method
In a large saucepan combine the cornmeal and salt. Pour the cold water over the cornmeal and stir until well mixed. Add the boiling water, stirring constantly, and bring the mixture to the boil. Stir in the butter. Cook over low heat until slightly thickened, then cover and simmer for 12 to 14 minutes. Serve immediately, topped with butter, grated cheese, or gravy.
Variations:-
1. Add 4 oz (120 g) feta cheese to the hot cornmeal and spread the mixture in a greased ovenproof casserole. Top with ¼ pint (150 ml) soured cream and bake uncovered at 190°C/375°F/Gas 5 for 15 minutes.
2. To make mamalyga a meal in itself, prepare it as in the variation above, and top each portion (there will be 4) with a freshly poached egg.
3. Pour the hot cornmeal into a greased 9 in (22.5 cm) square baking dish and leave to harden. Chill. The next day cut into squares and fry in butter over low heat until golden on both sides. Serve with syrup or jam. (This is a good use for leftover pudding as well.)
4. To make mamalyga dumplings: shape cold mamalyga into balls and with your fingers make an indentation in each ball. Stuff with chopped cooked ham, crumbled bacon, chopped hard-boiled egg or chopped cooked mushrooms. Seal with more mamalyga and dredge with flour. Deep fry in hot oil (182°C/360°F) until golden, about 5 minutes.
5. Cheese dumplings are made by taking 8 oz (225 g) cold mamalyga and adding to it 2 oz (60 g) grated cheese. Form into balls. Take some plain mamalyga and mould a thin layer of it around each cheese ball. Dredge with flour and deep fry as directed above.
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