Haitian Cornmeal Porridge (Mayi Moulen)

Haitian Cornmeal Porridge (Mayi Moulen)
Photograph by Davide Luciano. Food stylist: Claudia Ficca. Prop stylist: Gozde Eker.
Total Time
35 minutes
Rating
4(65)
Comments
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About as humble as a dish can be, with simple ingredients and cooking instructions no more complicated than boiling water, this Haitian recipe may shock you with its deliciousness — a base of warming, garlicky polenta-like porridge topped with a velvety purée of black beans and coconut milk (see the corresponding recipe for black-bean sauce). Slices of nutty avocado offer a gentle contrast in texture and another element of richness. It was adapted from the Haitian cooking instructor Cindy Similien-Johnson, who remembers it being made in her grandmother’s house. —Francis Lam

Featured in: A Haitian Grandmother’s Home-Cooked Porridge

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Ingredients

Yield:4 to 5 servings
  • 1tablespoon olive oil
  • 1small onion, finely chopped
  • 1garlic clove, minced
  • 1cup coarse yellow cornmeal
  • 1tablespoon finely chopped flat-leaf parsley
  • ½teaspoon finely chopped fresh thyme
  • Salt and black pepper, to taste
  • 2avocados, sliced, for serving
Ingredient Substitution Guide
Nutritional analysis per serving (5 servings)

276 calories; 15 grams fat; 2 grams saturated fat; 0 grams trans fat; 10 grams monounsaturated fat; 2 grams polyunsaturated fat; 34 grams carbohydrates; 7 grams dietary fiber; 2 grams sugars; 4 grams protein; 303 milligrams sodium

Note: The information shown is Edamam’s estimate based on available ingredients and preparation. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.

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Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Heat the oil in a heavy medium saucepan over medium heat, and sauté the onion and garlic until barely golden, about 6 minutes. Add 4½ cups water, and bring to a boil.

  2. Step 2

    Pour in the cornmeal in a thin stream, stirring constantly, and add the parsley, thyme, salt and black pepper. Stir for a few minutes to avoid lumps.

  3. Step 3

    Lower heat to a gentle simmer. Cook uncovered, stirring occasionally, until the cornmeal is tender, with a soft but not runny consistency, 20 to 25 minutes. Adjust with more water or salt if necessary. Serve with sos pwa nwa and sliced avocados.

Ratings

4 out of 5
65 user ratings
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Comments

But, to honor the culture from which this comes, don't. Or at least don't call it this recipe. Haiti celebrates what is available.

I make this recipe often. It is delicious with just sauteed onion, fresh garlic and sea salt. I usually add a whole habanero pepper to add taste and made sure the pepper doesn't fall apart just remove it before you start stirring the polenta otherwise it is going to be very spicy. Serve with shrimp/tomato sauce and avocado slices on the side. By the way I always use Bob's Red Mill organic Polenta Corn Grits. Bon Appetit!

Our Haitian family stirs up a pot of mayi moule twice weekly--Haitian or Goya coarse-ground, cooked pinto beans bended in, sometimes black or kidney beans. (We only serve sos pwa on white rice.) For seasoning, our own own family "Haitian epis"-- well minced & pounded garlic, scallions, Maggi, habanero, ground clove, thyme, lime juice, and oil. We use the same seasoning (like Senegalese rouf) for marinating meats & fish. Avocados? Welcome with any meal, or in hand, any time!

My mom who can be affectionately branded as the Haitian Queen of the Kitchen, had a fall this time last year, I immediately moved to help care for her during the daytime. She just recently asked me to make Mais Moulin for her. I've been cooking up a storm in the kitchen, something I haven't done until her fall. So this weekend, I will try my hand at this popular staple dish in the Haitian household. I plan to use spinach, garlic, onion and a series of selected spices for bold flavoring, thanks!

Sauce recipe not included.

It's a red link in the paragraph above the recipe

Made porridge with 1/2 C grated parmesan and 2 T butter added at the end. On one side of the porridge bowl was the black bean sauce; on the other, Sam Sifton's Lamb Meatballs with spiced sauce. (A dinner being served to both vegetarian and omnivore couples.) Fabulous BUT here's the rest of the story: leftovers. Fry up some "polenta parmesan patties" in a little butter, ladle a little re-heated bean sauce on top, and top it all off with an egg over easy for breakfast. AWESOME!

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Credits

Adapted from Cindy Similien-Johnson

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