South Africa, traditional paptert

Paptert is a South African dish made with pap, a traditional maize porridge, and a flavorful tomato and onion sauce. It’s a comforting and filling dish that’s perfect as a side dish or even a main course.

Ingredients

For the Pap:

• 2 cups maize meal (white or yellow cornmeal)
• 4 cups water
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2-3 tablespoons butter or margarine (optional)

For the Tomato and Onion Sauce:

• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 1 onion, finely chopped
• 2-3 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 cans (14 ounces each) chopped tomatoes
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon paprika (optional)
• 1/2 teaspoon dried mixed herbs (oregano, thyme, basil, etc.)
• 1/2 cup grated cheese (Cheddar or any other type you prefer)

Instructions:

Making the Pap:

1. In a large pot, bring 4 cups of water to a boil.
2. In a separate bowl, mix the maize meal with 1 cup of cold water to create a smooth, runny paste.
3. Gradually pour the maize meal mixture into the boiling water while stirring continuously to prevent lumps from forming.
4. Reduce the heat to low and continue to stir the mixture with a wooden spoon or a traditional South African wooden spoon called a “rystok” for about 30-40 minutes. The pap should thicken and become smooth. If it’s too thick, you can add a little more water.
5. Once the pap is ready, add salt and butter (if using) and stir until well incorporated. Remove the pot from the heat and set the pap aside.

Making the Tomato and Onion Sauce:

1. In a separate saucepan, heat the vegetable oil over medium heat.
2. Add the chopped onion and sauté until it becomes translucent and fragrant, about 3-5 minutes.
3. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another 1-2 minutes until it’s fragrant but not browned.
4. Add the canned chopped tomatoes, sugar, salt, black pepper, paprika (if using), and dried mixed herbs. Stir well.
5. Simmer the sauce for about 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it thickens and the flavors meld together.

Assembling the Paptert:

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. In a greased ovenproof dish, spread a layer of the cooked pap at the bottom.
3. Pour a portion of the tomato and onion sauce over the pap.
4. Continue layering pap and sauce until you’ve used all of both, finishing with a layer of sauce on top.
5. Sprinkle the grated cheese evenly over the top of the sauce.
6. Bake in the preheated oven for about 20-25 minutes or until the cheese is melted and bubbly, and the paptert is heated through.
7. Remove from the oven and let it cool slightly before serving.

Enjoy your homemade paptert as a comforting and hearty South African dish!

Also read: South Africa, malva pudding