Mannaya Kasha (Russian Semolina Porridge)
Local name: Манная каша
In short: Smooth Russian semolina porridge cooked in milk with a little sugar and butter. A quick, creamy breakfast that children love. It takes about 15 min in total and makes 4 servings.
- Prep
- 5 min
- Cook
- 10 min
- Total
- 15 min
- Servings
- 4
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 225 kcal
Mannaya kasha is the semolina porridge many Russians remember from childhood breakfasts and school canteens. Fine wheat semolina is stirred into hot milk and cooked for just a few minutes into a smooth, creamy porridge, sweetened lightly and finished with butter. It is quick and gentle, and served with jam, fresh berries or a knob of butter. The only trick is to pour the semolina in slowly while whisking so no lumps form.
Instructions
- Heat the milk with the sugar and salt in a medium saucepan over medium heat until steaming and just about to boil. Watch it closely, as milk boils over fast.
- Lower the heat. Pour in the semolina in a thin stream while whisking constantly so no lumps form.
- Cook, stirring, for 3 to 5 minutes until the porridge thickens and the raw taste has gone. It should fall slowly from the spoon, since it thickens further as it stands.
- Take it off the heat, stir in the butter and vanilla, cover and rest for 3 minutes.
- Serve warm in bowls, topped with jam, berries or an extra pat of butter.
Tips
- Whisk while you pour and for the first minute of cooking, which is what prevents lumps. If any form, beat the porridge hard with the whisk or press it through a sieve.
- Add 100 ml (scant 1/2 cup) more milk for a looser porridge, or an extra tablespoon of semolina for a thicker one. It sets as it cools, so loosen it with hot milk when reheating.
Questions and answers
Why is my semolina porridge lumpy?
The semolina went in too fast or into milk that was boiling hard. Add it in a thin stream to hot, not boiling, milk while whisking all the time.
Can I make mannaya kasha with water or plant milk?
Yes. Water gives a lighter, plainer porridge, and oat or soy milk works well. Stir in the butter or a spoon of oil at the end.
Is mannaya kasha gluten-free?
No, semolina is made from wheat and contains gluten. For a gluten-free porridge, use fine cornmeal instead, though the texture will be different.
How long does it take to make Mannaya Kasha (Russian Semolina Porridge)?
About 15 min in total: 5 min of preparation and 10 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Mannaya Kasha (Russian Semolina Porridge)?
About 225 kcal per serving, with 8 g of protein, 25 g of carbohydrates and 10 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 225 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 8 g |
| Carbohydrates | 25 g |
| Fat | 10 g |
| Fiber | 1 g |
| Sugar | 16 g |
| Sodium | 120 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
