Lesotho chakalaka and pap-pap is a very typical meal. Chakalaka is a vegetable stew made with tomatoes, peppers, carrots and onions, that is delicious. It is served with the national dish called pap-pap that is made from corn meal and when cooked resembles polenta. It is a nice filler to enjoy with any type of stew or sauce. Similar to fu-fu in other countries. I will definitely keep this in mind for meatless Mondays. We had this as part of our Lesotho feast but it would be plenty on its own. You should make it just because it is fun to say chakalaka!
Lesotho Chakalaka and Pap-Pap (Vegetable stew with corn meal)
Servings 4
Ingredients
- For the pap-pap
- 300 grams corn meal or polenta
- 300 ml of water
- For the chakalaka
- 2 Tablespoons vegetable oil
- 1 carrot finely chopped
- 1 onion finely chopped
- 2 hot red chilies finely chopped
- 1 red bell pepper finely chopped
- 2 to matoes finely chopped
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- For the pap-pap
- Bring the water to boil and add the corn meal or polenta.
- Stir constantly until a stiff mixture develops
- Leave to simmer for 25 minutes, stirring every 5 minutes to prevent burning.
- Serve with chakalaka or any other stew or sauce
- For the chakalaka:
- Heat the oil and fry the carrots for a few minutes then add in the onions, chilies and bell pepper.
- Fry for about 5 minutes more and then add in the tomatoes
- Cook until the tomatoes break down and form a stew.
- Season with salt and pepper and serve with pap-pap.
