When I think of the things that define being Zimbabwean, sadza is one of them. Every other Southern and East African country has its own version of sadza, but somehow I think Zimbabweans love it a little bit more.
Sadza is the easiest and one of the most affordable things you can make. Its water and maize/corn meal. Not even salt is added. It is bland and we LOVE IT! However I like to try new things and surprise my mouth. I made sadza with herbs, onions, garlic, pepper and a little bit of oil!
Let me tell you, this is the best sadza I ever made. You do not even need vegetables or meat to eat it. Would I make this for my father or any Zimbabwean? No. If you are newly married into a Zimbabwean family, this recipe would not be a great idea. The truth though is that they are missing out because it is delicious, still tastes like sadza but with other great flavours.
Still in doubt? Well, think about it this way, sadza is a grain like rice and if you can add spices and vegetables to rice, you can do the same with sadza.
Herbed Sadza
Ingredients
- 1 –2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1/2 cup finely minced onion
- 2 or more teaspoons minced garlic
- 4 water
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 teaspoons chopped fresh oregano
- 1 teaspoon chopped fresh rosemary
- 3 tablespoons chopped fresh basil
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh Italian parsley divided
- 2 cups corn/maize meal
Instructions
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Heat the oil,in a saucepan over medium heat. Add the onion and sauté 1 minute. Add garlic and sauté for another minute.
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Add the water or broth, salt, bay leaf, the oregano, rosemary, half of both the basil and parsley, and stir.
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Boil 3 cups water in a kettle.
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In a small bowl, combine half a cup of corn meal and half a cup cold water. Stir to mix. Add to the saucepan. Stir to mix with the onion mixture. Then add the hot water. Stir until it starts to bubble.
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Leave to bubble for 10 -15 minutes. Then add the remaining corn meal a quarter cup at a time, mixing well until thickened to your desired consistency. (Some people like soft, porridge like sadza and some prefer it hard.)
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Serve warm with vegetables and or meat.
