Swazi Sishwala

Ingredients

• 3 cups maize meal
• 6 cups water, divided
• 1 tsp salt, divided
• 1 lb beef stew meat, cubed
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 tomatoes, chopped
• 2 tbsp vegetable oil
• 1 cup chopped leafy greens (optional)
• Black pepper to taste

Before you cook

• Cube the beef into bite-sized pieces.
• Chop the onion and tomatoes.

Steps

1. Heat the oil in a pot over medium heat.
2. Add the beef and brown on all sides, about 8 minutes.
3. Add the chopped onion and cook until soft, about 5 minutes.
4. Stir in the chopped tomatoes and 1/2 teaspoon of salt.
5. Pour in 1 cup of water, cover, and simmer for 35 minutes until the beef is tender.
6. Stir in the leafy greens, if using, and cook for 5 more minutes.
7. Season the stew with black pepper and set it aside, covered, to stay warm.
8. Bring the remaining 5 cups of water to a boil in a separate large pot with the remaining 1/2 teaspoon of salt.
9. Reduce the heat to medium and sprinkle in half the maize meal, whisking constantly to avoid lumps.
10. Cook for 3 minutes, whisking, until it thickens.
11. Stir in the remaining maize meal with a wooden spoon until the mixture becomes very stiff.
12. Reduce the heat to low, cover, and cook for 10 minutes, turning the stiff porridge over once halfway through.
13. Scoop the porridge onto plates while hot, shaping it into a mound.
14. Serve immediately with the beef stew spooned alongside.