What is for dinner?

Pap/ Maize Meal
Sometimes after you live someplace a while things that you at first found strange or unique become much more of normal life. One of these things is the foods that Sub-Sahara African people eat. Pap or maize meal is defined as “a traditional porridge made from miele-meal (ground maize *corn* or other grain)”. I would like to compare it to consistency cream of wheat or grits. Pap with thick consistency can be held in one’s hand. It is bland, but with a large variety of sauces and some meat (typically chicken, beef, or fish) that you more-or-less dip the maize meal in, adds a large variety of taste. I think it tastes pretty great. You can also make smooth pap that is soft and eaten with a spoon. Add a little butter and some brown sugar… yummy!!! It tastes really good for breakfast for if you have an upset tummy.

Cheap!
Maize meal is very filling and cheap! Please go look in the store for me because I would like to make you some when I return.

How to make it?! Don’t get burned!
So the process with behind maize meal is quite complex. You can buy maize meal (similar to buying flour) in the store or you can pound and sift and pound and sift to make it. You can also have to allow it dry for an extended period of time before you make it. There are special techniques to cooking it as well. For example, you take the pap and put it in cool water to let it get absorbed and then you add it to a boiling pot of water. You have to figure out how much pap is needed for the pot of water. No receipt, no measuring- all technique. When a large pot is boiling - watch out. I have also been burnt -it is not fun.
Making pap over fire!

Sauces
So one of the sauces they frequently make is “green chicken”. There is a large variety of editable leaves (like “green chicken”) that you can also cook down to a paste. Add a little salt and maybe part of a soup packet. Yummy!!!

Now it’s time to eat. Well almost.
Do not be surprised if you cook the pap and let it cool (or something?!) for up to two hours … by now it is about eight or nine at night. *For a good majority of Africans this is their only substantial meal of the day.* Now wash your hands in a same basin as everyone else before you eat (sometimes you have soap). You have dished out one bowl for the children, one for the men, and one for the women. You will all share your one bowl but in separate locations. No need for a fork or spoon. Eat with your hands. (I personally think eating with a spoon makes it taste a little metallic). And don’t forget your fried chicken, which is some of the best fried chicken I have ever eaten! Every little kwinbo (little group of houses – typically mud) has their own unique traditions. For example, in the kwimbo I have stayed at the women eat on a blanket as you walk into the house.

Ok, so now you have finished your first African meal in the village and it is time for a bath out of basin… maybe the best part of your day!!! So refreshing! I am not kidding!

More information:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pap_(food)