Mayi moulen is a traditional Haitan dish which is a simple cornmeal porridge with garlic, butter, and salt, typically eaten at breakfast or as a comforting meal. It has a creamy texture and uses simple, local ingredients offering a rich taste while being cheap, nourishing and filling.
Origin & Cultural Significance
Mayi moulen simply translates to ‘ground corn’ which is the main ingredient in the dish. It is served with a variety of different ingredients, usually fish or spinach, and served with avocado. The fish is often salted herring with chili and black bean sauce – however, the exact ingredients differ from family to family.
The meal was traditionally a staple part of Creole cuisine, however, the dish is now a popular breakfast meal that is cheap to make and easy to eat. The dish is particularly popular in farming communities, with farmers eating the dish before a long day of manual labor. The corn, vegetables, and sources of protein are filling and nutritious.
Mayi moulen is created by cooking cornmeal in water with garlic, butter, and salt. It is quick and easy to prepare and is enjoyed at any time of day, thanks to being quick, easy, and filling.
Haitian Mayi Moulen Recipe
Mayi moulen is a traditional Haitan dish of cornmeal porridge with garlic, butter and salt.
Ingredients
- Cornmeal - 1 cup
- Water - 4 cups
- Coconut milk - 1 cup
- Salt - 1/2 tsp
- Butter or margarine - 2 tbsp
- Sugar (optional) - to taste
- Ground cinnamon or nutmeg - for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- In a saucepan, bring 4 cups of water to a boil.
- In a separate bowl, mix the cornmeal with 1 cup of water to form a smooth paste.
- Gradually add the cornmeal mixture to the boiling water, stirring constantly to prevent lumps from forming.
- Reduce the heat to low and continue cooking the mixture, stirring occasionally, for about 15-20 minutes, or until thickened to the desired consistency.
- Stir in the coconut milk, salt, and butter or margarine, mixing well to combine.
- If desired, add sugar to taste for a sweeter porridge.
- Continue cooking the mayi moulen for an additional 5-10 minutes, or until it reaches a creamy consistency.
- Remove from heat and let the porridge cool slightly before serving.
- Serve the mayi moulen warm, garnished with ground cinnamon or nutmeg if desired.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 4 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 281Total Fat: 19gSaturated Fat: 15gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 3gCholesterol: 15mgSodium: 364mgCarbohydrates: 27gFiber: 3gSugar: 1gProtein: 4g
Nutrition is provided and calculated by Nutritionix. It is for general information purposes and is only a rough estimation.