If you’re familiar with boiling water, you’re already halfway to creating a fantastic Mamaliga. Often recognized as polenta, this dish is wonderfully simple at its core. The real artistry comes in how you choose to serve it, whether as a delightful side or the star of your meal.
Across different regions and culinary traditions, Mamaliga takes on unique characteristics. In Moldova, for example, it frequently replaces bread, crafted to a firm consistency that can be sliced with a string. It’s a classic partner to dishes like Sarmale (stuffed cabbage or grape leaves), enhancing the rich flavors beautifully.
Here, we’ll explore a straightforward Mamaliga cu Branza (polenta with feta cheese) recipe. We’ll aim for a slightly softer texture by extending the cooking time, and we’ll enrich it with Bulgarian feta cheese, a personal favorite sourced from a local ethnic market. To elevate the creaminess, we’ll also incorporate cottage cheese.
This recipe is perfectly portioned for two to three adults or four children, and it’s easily scalable to feed larger groups.
For the Mamaliga:
- 1 cup cornmeal (Indian brand SWAD recommended for its texture)
- 4 cups water
- ½ tsp salt
For the Feta Cheese Garnish:
- 1 ½ cup feta cheese (Balkan import preferred for authentic taste)
- 1 cup cottage cheese
- 1 Tbsp chopped parsley
To begin, bring the water to a rolling boil in a large pot. Gradually introduce the cornmeal in a slow, steady stream, whisking continuously to prevent any lumps from forming. Stir in the salt, then reduce the heat to low. Continue whisking the mamaliga frequently for about 30 to 40 minutes. You’ll know it’s ready when it starts to pull away from the sides of the pot, indicating a perfect consistency. To serve, simply add the feta and cottage cheese, and garnish with a sprinkle of fresh parsley. Your Mamaliga cu Branza is ready to be enjoyed!
Close-up of cheesy Mamaliga with parsley garnish
Mamaliga’s versatility shines as it can be served as a base, side dish, or garnish for countless recipes. Stay tuned for more inspiring ways to incorporate mamaliga into your culinary repertoire!
