Funge (Angolan Cassava and Cornmeal Porridge)
In short: A smooth, stiff porridge of cassava flour and cornmeal, shaped into a mound and eaten by hand with stews, fish and sauces. It takes about 25 min in total and makes 6 servings.
- Prep
- 5 min
- Cook
- 20 min
- Total
- 25 min
- Servings
- 6
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 210 kcal
Funge is the staple of Angolan tables: a smooth, stiff porridge made from cassava flour, cornmeal or a mix of both. It is served in a mound beside stews and fish and eaten by hand: you pinch a piece, roll it, press a dent in it and scoop up the sauce. A mix of cassava and corn is milder and softer than cassava alone. The trick is a vigorous stir, so the porridge stays smooth.
Instructions
- Bring 800 ml (3 1/3 cups) of the water to a boil in a heavy pot with the salt.
- Whisk the cornmeal with the remaining 200 ml of cold water until smooth. Stir it into the boiling water and cook for 3 minutes, until thick.
- Lower the heat. Whisk in 100 g of the cassava flour, then switch to a sturdy wooden spoon and stir hard to keep it smooth.
- Add the remaining cassava flour in two batches, stirring and pressing the dough against the side of the pot for 6 to 8 minutes, until it is smooth, stiff, glossy and pulls away from the sides.
- Cover the pot and cook on the lowest heat for 3 minutes.
- Turn the funge onto a wet plate and shape it into mounds with a wet spoon. Serve hot with stew.
Tips
- Use cassava flour sold as farinha de bombó or fufu flour. Plain cassava starch will not give the same texture.
- Wet your hands and spoon before shaping. Funge sticks to dry tools, and it firms up fast as it cools.
Questions and answers
What does funge taste like?
It has a very mild, slightly sour flavor and a smooth, elastic texture. It is made to carry the strong flavors of stews and sauces, not to be eaten alone.
Can I make funge with only cornmeal?
Yes. Funge de milho uses just cornmeal and takes about the same time. Use 350 g of cornmeal and 1 L of water for a softer, more porridge-like funge.
How do I reheat leftover funge?
Steam it for 5 minutes or microwave it with a spoonful of water, covered. You can also slice it and pan-fry it until crisp.
How long does it take to make Funge (Angolan Cassava and Cornmeal Porridge)?
About 25 min in total: 5 min of preparation and 20 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Funge (Angolan Cassava and Cornmeal Porridge)?
About 210 kcal per serving, with 2 g of protein, 48 g of carbohydrates and 1 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 210 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 2 g |
| Carbohydrates | 48 g |
| Fat | 1 g |
| Fiber | 3 g |
| Sugar | 1 g |
| Sodium | 200 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
