You can serve mealie bread at a braai or enjoy it on its own as a snack, smothered with a generous helping of butter or jam.
IF YOU are after a simple, delicious bread that feels like a warm hug from the inside, then you have come to the right place. Bursting with sweetcorn kernels and the comforting taste of home, mealie bread is a beloved staple in South Africa and beyond.
Mealie bread is a traditional South African quick bread made from mealies, known in other parts of the world as maize or corn.
Maize was first grown for food in indigenous Mexico, and it is thought that the Portuguese were the first to bring maize from the Americas to Africa. It became quite popular in many parts of Africa where it was (and is) used to make a number of pudding, porridge and bread dishes.
Mealie bread is quick and easy to make – all you need is baking powder, mealies (sweetcorn), flour and eggs. You can add a pinch of paprika to give a gentle layer of spice to the bread.
You can serve mealie bread at a braai or enjoy it on its own as a snack, smothered with a generous helping of butter or tomato-chilli jam, and jammy eggs as a starter.
Below is a recipe that you can try at home this Heritage Month, courtesy of the South African Poultry Association.
Microwave volcano mealie bread
Serves: 8 as a side
Ingredients
420g tin cream-style sweetcorn
2 eggs
tbs sunflower oil
1 tbs sugar
1 tsp salt
2 cups self-raising flour
1 cup cheddar, grated
Method
Combine the sweetcorn, eggs, oil, sugar and salt. Stir in the flour. Pour into a 21cm silicon ring cake mould.
Microwave for about 8 minutes or until a testing skewer comes out with a few moist crumbs. Turn the bread out onto a microwave-safe serving dish.
Sprinkle the cheese over the top of the bread and into the centre. Microwave for about 3 minutes or until the cheese has melted. Serve immediately.
Serving suggestions: Use a blowtorch to char the melted cheese, if you like.
Enjoy as a braai side or serve with butter, tomato-chilli jam, and jammy eggs as a starter.
