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!
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.