Majarete (Dominican Cornmeal Pudding)
In short: A silky, lightly spiced pudding of cornmeal simmered with milk, coconut milk, cinnamon and lime zest, chilled and dusted with more cinnamon. It takes about 40 min in total and makes 6 servings.
- Prep
- 10 min
- Cook
- 30 min
- Resting
- 3 h
- Total
- 40 min
- Servings
- 6
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 295 kcal
Majarete is a Dominican cornmeal pudding that is set in small bowls and eaten chilled, usually as a dessert at family meals. Cornmeal is cooked slowly with milk, coconut milk, cinnamon, vanilla and a strip of lime zest, stirred constantly so it turns thick, smooth and creamy. It is poured into bowls, chilled until set, and dusted with ground cinnamon. In the countryside it is made from freshly grated corn, but fine cornmeal is a fast and reliable substitute.
Instructions
- Whisk the cornmeal with 250 ml (1 cup) of the cold milk in a bowl until smooth.
- In a saucepan, combine the remaining milk, the coconut milk, water, sugar, cinnamon stick, lime zest and salt. Bring to a gentle simmer over medium heat, stirring to dissolve the sugar.
- Slowly pour in the cornmeal mixture, whisking constantly.
- Cook over medium-low heat for 20 to 25 minutes, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon, until the pudding is thick, coats the back of the spoon, and the cornmeal tastes cooked rather than gritty.
- Remove the cinnamon stick and lime zest and stir in the vanilla.
- Pour into 6 small bowls or ramekins. Cool for 20 minutes, then chill for at least 3 hours until set.
- Dust with ground cinnamon and serve cold.
Tips
- Keep stirring and scrape the bottom, since milk puddings catch easily. If lumps form, strain the pudding through a fine sieve before pouring.
- For an extra-smooth result, blend the finished pudding for 20 seconds before pouring it into the bowls.
Questions and answers
Is majarete served warm or cold?
Both. It is most often chilled and dusted with cinnamon, but some people enjoy it warm straight from the pot.
Can I use cornstarch instead of cornmeal?
Yes. 40 g (1/3 cup) of cornstarch gives a very smooth, lighter pudding. Cornmeal gives more corn flavor and a slightly rustic texture.
How long does majarete keep?
Covered in the refrigerator it keeps for 4 days. It does not freeze well, because the texture turns watery after thawing.
How long does it take to make Majarete (Dominican Cornmeal Pudding)?
About 40 min in total: 10 min of preparation and 30 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Majarete (Dominican Cornmeal Pudding)?
About 295 kcal per serving, with 5 g of protein, 36 g of carbohydrates and 15 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 295 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 5 g |
| Carbohydrates | 36 g |
| Fat | 15 g |
| Fiber | 2 g |
| Sugar | 24 g |
| Sodium | 70 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
