Dairy-Free Traditional South African Pap

Discover the comforting simplicity of Dairy-Free Traditional South African Pap, a beloved staple that pairs perfectly with hearty stews, grilled meats, or flavorful vegetable dishes. Made with just three ingredients—white maize meal, water, and a pinch of salt—this dairy-free variation of a classic South African recipe delivers the same smooth and satisfying texture while being completely plant-based. The key to achieving its signature consistency lies in slow, careful cooking and frequent stirring, transforming humble ingredients into a versatile, crowd-pleasing dish. Ready in just 30 minutes, this gluten-free and dairy-free pap is ideal for family dinners or as a quick and wholesome side dish for any occasion.

Nutriscore Rating: 73/100

Prep Time:5 mins

Cook Time:30 mins

Total Time:35 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 2 cups white maize meal
• 4 cups water
• 0.5 teaspoons salt

Directions

Step 1

In a large, heavy-bottomed pot, bring 3 cups of water to a boil over medium-high heat. Add the salt and stir to dissolve.

Step 2

Reduce the heat to medium and gradually add the maize meal to the boiling water, stirring continuously with a wooden spoon or a whisk to prevent lumps from forming.

Step 3

Once all the maize meal is incorporated, reduce the heat to low. Cover the pot with a lid, leaving it slightly ajar to prevent boiling over.

Step 4

Cook the pap on low heat for 20-25 minutes, stirring every 5-10 minutes to ensure it doesn't stick to the bottom of the pot.

Step 5

As the pap cooks, it will thicken and become a smooth, firm consistency. If the mixture becomes too dry, add the remaining 1 cup of water, a little at a time, to reach your desired texture.

Step 6

Once cooked, give the pap a final stir and remove it from the heat. Let it rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Step 7

Serve hot as a side dish with your favorite stew, meat, or vegetable dishes.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1463g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1825

Total Fat 6g	0%
Saturated Fat 1g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0g
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 1233.8mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 392g	0%
Dietary Fiber 18g	0%
Total Sugars 3g
Protein 36g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 92.6mg	0%
Iron 12mg	0%
Potassium 710mg	0%

*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: 3.1%

Protein: 8.2%

Carbs: 88.8%