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Tuwo masara (stiff maize swallow)
Tuwon masara: the firm white-maize swallow of the Plateau and the north, for okra and vegetable soups
On the Plateau and throughout the north, a pot of white maize flour turned stiff with a wooden paddle is the daily partner to miyan kubewa (okra soup), miyan kuka and vegetable soups. Tuwon masara is smooth, slightly springy and mild, with a faint sweetness of corn. The secret is to start with a thin cooked paste and only then add the dry flour, which keeps it lump-free; dumping all the flour into boiling water is the mistake that gives raw, gritty pockets. Chef's tip: use a sturdy, flat wooden spoon and press the tuwo hard against the side of the pot when you turn it.
- Total time
- 30 min
- Difficulty
- easy
- Serves
- 4
Ingredients
- 14 oz fine white maize mealsold as white maize flour; not cornflour (cornstarch)
- 5 cups water300 ml of it cold
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Method
0/5 doneStep 1: Bring 900 ml of the 5 cups water to the boil in a heavy pot. Whisk 100 g of the 14 oz fine white maize meal into the remaining 300 ml cold water until smooth.
8 minStep 2: Pour the cold mixture into the boiling water, stirring constantly, and cook for 5 minutes over a medium heat until it thickens into a smooth, glossy pap.
5 minStep 3: Lower the heat. Add the rest of the flour a handful at a time, beating and turning hard with a wooden spoon after each, until it forms a stiff, smooth dough that comes away from the pot.
6 minStep 4: Sprinkle 3 tbsp water over, cover tightly and leave on the lowest heat for 5 minutes to steam.
5 minStep 5: Turn vigorously for 1 minute more until completely smooth. Shape into balls in a wet bowl and serve hot with soup.
1 min
Nutrition per serving
- Calories
- 350 kcal
- Protein
- 8 g
- Carbs
- 74 g
- Fat
- 3 g
- Fibre
- 6 g
Nutrition values are estimates.
KrazyBadal
Good to know
- How long does tuwo masara (stiff maize swallow) take?
- About 30 minutes in total: 5 minutes to prepare and 25 minutes to cook.
- How many people does it serve?
- 4 as written. Change the servings above the ingredients and every amount scales to match.
- Is it vegan?
- Yes. It has no meat, fish, dairy or eggs.
- Is it gluten free?
- Yes, as written. Check the labels on stock, sauces and spice mixes, which sometimes contain gluten.
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