Marmaliga

Transport your taste buds to the rustic charm of Eastern Europe with *Mămăligă*, the quintessential Romanian dish that’s as versatile as it is satisfying. Made with simple ingredients—coarse cornmeal, water, and salt—this creamy polenta-style recipe is a comforting staple that’s easy to prepare in just 25 minutes. The cornmeal is slowly simmered and stirred to luscious perfection, creating a thick, golden mixture that holds its shape once cooled. Traditionally served as a side dish, mămăligă can be sliced into wedges and paired with tangy cheese, rich sour cream, or a robust stew for a truly hearty and authentic meal. Perfect for cozy dinners and a must-try for fans of wholesome, traditional recipes, this classic dish is both humble and full of flavor.

Nutriscore Rating: 71/100

Prep Time:5 mins

Cook Time:20 mins

Total Time:25 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 250 grams Coarse cornmeal
• 1 liter Water
• 1 teaspoon Salt

Directions

Step 1

In a medium-sized pot, bring 1 liter of water to a gentle boil over medium heat.

Step 2

Once the water is boiling, add 1 teaspoon of salt, stirring to dissolve.

Step 3

Lower the heat to a gentle simmer. Gradually sprinkle in the 250 grams of coarse cornmeal, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon or a whisk to prevent lumps from forming.

Step 4

Continue stirring as the cornmeal thickens and begins to pull away from the sides of the pot. This process should take about 15-20 minutes.

Step 5

Once the mămăligă reaches a thick, creamy consistency and is fully cooked, remove the pot from the heat.

Step 6

For a traditional serving style, let the mămăligă slightly cool, then invert the pot onto a wooden board or flat surface. It should hold its shape after being unmolded.

Step 7

Cut into wedges or slices and serve hot as a side dish, or pair with cheese, sour cream, or a hearty stew for a complete, traditional meal.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	1270.4 grams (1270.4g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	925

Total Fat 9.80g	13%
Saturated Fat 1.20g	6%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.00g
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 2408mg	105%
Total Carbohydrate 197.50g	72%
Dietary Fiber 18.20g	65%
Total Sugars 1.50g
Protein 18.00g	36%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 76mg	6%
Iron 5mg	29%
Potassium 355mg	8%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 9.3%

Protein: 7.6%

Carbs: 83.1%