Jamaican Cornmeal Porridge
In short: Creamy yellow cornmeal porridge simmered with coconut milk, cinnamon, nutmeg and vanilla, sweetened with condensed milk. Jamaica's warm breakfast. It takes about 35 min in total and makes 4 servings.
- Prep
- 10 min
- Cook
- 25 min
- Total
- 35 min
- Servings
- 4
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 290 kcal
Cornmeal porridge is a classic Jamaican breakfast, spooned out thick and warm on school mornings and weekends. Fine yellow cornmeal is whisked into water, then simmered slowly with coconut milk, cinnamon, nutmeg, vanilla and a pinch of salt until smooth and creamy. Sweetened condensed milk is stirred in at the end. Stir often to keep lumps away, and thin the porridge with a splash of milk if it thickens as it stands.
Instructions
- Whisk the cornmeal with 250 ml (1 cup) of the water in a bowl until smooth and free of lumps.
- Bring the remaining 500 ml (2 cups) water to a boil in a saucepan with the cinnamon stick and salt.
- Lower the heat to medium-low and slowly pour in the cornmeal mixture, whisking constantly.
- Cook for 10 minutes, stirring often, until the porridge thickens and no longer tastes raw.
- Pour in the coconut milk, add the nutmeg and cook for 8 to 10 minutes more, stirring. It should be thick but pourable.
- Remove the cinnamon stick. Stir in the vanilla and condensed milk and serve hot, loosened with a splash of milk if needed.
Tips
- Always whisk the cornmeal into cold water first. Dry cornmeal poured straight into hot water forms lumps.
- Porridge thickens fast as it cools. Loosen leftovers with a splash of milk or water when you reheat them.
Questions and answers
What kind of cornmeal is used for Jamaican porridge?
Fine yellow cornmeal, sometimes sold as fine grind. Coarse polenta takes longer to soften and gives a grittier porridge.
Can I make cornmeal porridge dairy-free?
Yes. Skip the condensed milk and sweeten with brown sugar or maple syrup, and use coconut milk for the creamy part. It will taste a little less rich.
How do I stop cornmeal porridge from getting lumpy?
Mix the cornmeal with cold water first, then pour it slowly into the simmering water while whisking. Keep stirring constantly for the first few minutes.
How long does it take to make Jamaican Cornmeal Porridge?
About 35 min in total: 10 min of preparation and 25 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Jamaican Cornmeal Porridge?
About 290 kcal per serving, with 5 g of protein, 36 g of carbohydrates and 14 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 290 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 5 g |
| Carbohydrates | 36 g |
| Fat | 14 g |
| Fiber | 3 g |
| Sugar | 12 g |
| Sodium | 190 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
