Ingredients

Method

• For the Motlhodi wa ting:
• 4 cups mabele meal
• 6 cups water
For the ting (porridge):
• 2 cups water
• 5 cups motlhodi
• brown sugar, for serving

Method

Ingredients

1. To make the motlhodi wa ting: place the mabele meal and water in a large (5-litre) lidded bucket. Close the lid and leave, undisturbed, in a warm place for 48 hours.

2. To make the ting: place the water in a medium (3-litre) pot and bring to the boil. Reduce the heat to low and slowly add the motlhodi, stirring all the time to prevent lumps forming. Continue stirring until the porridge thickens, then cover the pot with a lid and simmer for 20 minutes.

2. Serve in bowls, topped with brown sugar at breakfast, or without sugar if accompanying a main meal.

Cook's note: I like a slightly thin ting. For a thicker consistency, use 4 cups motlhodi and the same quantity of water, and cook for an extra 5 minutes.

This recipe for traditional brown sour porridge (ting) is inspired by my Motswana mum, uMmaYona. When I was growing up, ting porridge was a staple breakfast meal. The long fermentation time (48 hours) is what gives ting its distinctive taste, but it also means I don’t make it as often as I used to. But I still love having it for breakfast, topped with brown sugar, or to accompany a main meal of meat and vegetables.

Find more South African recipes here.

This recipe is an extract from Dinner at Matloha's, published by Penguin Random House (Pty) Ltd and available at all good book stores.

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