Cuisine : Bazin - how to make this African dish

 

Bazin, or traditional African fermented maize or millet porridge, is a staple in many African cuisines. Here’s a detailed guide on how to make it:

### Ingredients:

- 2 cups of maize or millet flour

- 4 cups of water

- Salt to taste

- Optional: Sugar or honey for sweetening

### Instructions:

1. **Prepare the Water:**

   - Boil 4 cups of water in a large pot. 

2. **Mix the Flour:**

   - In a bowl, mix the maize or millet flour with a bit of cold water to make a smooth paste. This prevents lumps from forming when added to the boiling water.

3. **Cooking the Porridge:**

   - Gradually add the flour paste to the boiling water while stirring continuously. This helps prevent lumps.

   - Reduce the heat to medium and continue to stir the mixture until it thickens. This should take about 15-20 minutes.

   - Add salt to taste.

   - If you prefer a sweeter taste, you can add sugar or honey at this stage.

4. **Consistency Check:**

   - The porridge should be smooth and thick. If it’s too thick, you can add a bit more water; if it’s too thin, let it cook a bit longer.

5. **Serving:**

   - Once it reaches the desired consistency, remove it from heat.

   - Serve hot, typically with a side dish like stew or meat, or with milk if you prefer a sweeter version.

### Tips:

- Stirring continuously is crucial to avoid lumps.

- You can also use a whisk instead of a spoon to mix the flour paste into the boiling water for a smoother texture.

- For a more authentic flavor, you can ferment the maize or millet flour in water for a few days before cooking. This adds a tangy taste to the porridge.

Enjoy your Bazin!