Swaziland Mealie Bread Recipe
Swaziland Mealie Bread is a traditional Southern African bread made from maize meal. Its taste fits the environments of southern and eastern Africa cornflour-based food: mildly sweet with a slight edge to it. Its soft, mellow flavour is great for people of all ages. With just four simple ingredients-maize flour, butter, water from boiling corn meal, and milk sugar- this recipe results in a sweet, thick yet yielding loaf. These loaves are excellent for serving with sweet or savoury dishes. As a result, they are very popular in Swaziland and also ideal as a prized present for friends. They are particularly suited to breakfast, snacks and side dishes.
Equipment
- Loaf pan (9x5 inches)
- Mixing bowls (large and small)
- Whisk or spoon for mixing
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Oven
Ingredients
- 2 cups maize meal cornmeal
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- ½ cup sugar
- 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 2 large eggs beaten
- ½ cup milk
- ¼ cup melted butter
- ¼ cup vegetable oil
- ½ cup water or as needed
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract optional
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F) and grease a loaf pan or line it with parchment paper.
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together maize meal, flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt until evenly combined.
- In a separate bowl, beat the eggs and then add the milk, melted butter, vegetable oil, and vanilla extract (if using). Stir to combine.
- Gradually add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients, stirring until just mixed. If the batter is too thick, add water, a little at a time, to reach a thick but pourable consistency.
- Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and smooth the top with a spatula.
- Bake for 40-45 minutes or until the bread is golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Let the bread cool in the pan for about 10 minutes, then transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely. Slice and serve.
Notes
- For a savory version, add grated cheese or herbs like rosemary or thyme to the batter.
- If you prefer a sweeter bread, increase the sugar or add dried fruits like raisins or cranberries.
- You can substitute plant-based milk or vegan butter to make the bread dairy-free.
- Store any leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or freeze for longer storage.
