4.9 from 108 votes
Ugali Recipe
Ugali is a simple staple made from coarse cornmeal cooked with water until firm and dough-like. It has a dense and slightly crumbly texture with a distinct corn aroma. This recipe guides through gradual stirring and cooking until the ugali pulls away from the pan, indicating readiness.
Prep Time
5 mins
Cook Time
10 mins
Total Time
15 mins
Servings:
5
Calories:
488 kcal
Course:
Lunch, Dinner
Cuisine:
African
Ingredients
- 2 cups cornmeal maize flour, coarse
- 4 cups water
Instructions
- Using a medium-sized and deep pot, bring water to boil. Once boiling, reduce the heat to low and set ½ a cup of water aside.
- To the pot, add the maize flour (cornmeal), a quarter of a cup at a time, and use a wooden spoon to stir, using circular motions. At this point, it should be slightly thick and resemble porridge.
- Continue adding the maize flour (cornmeal) a little at a time, and stirring until all of it has been used up and the mixture is firm. This will take about 5 minutes.
- Using the wooden spoon, poke small holes on the surface of the ugali and add the previously preserved hot water to the holes. Next, cover and allow to cook for a further 5 minutes stirring halfway through, or until all the water has evaporated and the bottom of the pan is browned up but not burning.
- Use the wooden spoon to transfer the ugali to the side of the pot. You will know the ugali is cooked when it easily pulls away from the bottom of the pot and starts to give a strong corn aroma. A small ball pinched between the thumbs will also feel slightly sticky and not grainy.
- Finally, run the wooden spoon under tap water (this helps with the shaping). Shape the ugali in the pot until you have something that resembles a round ball.
- Take the pot from the stove and tip it upside down onto a plate, so the ugali now falls to the plate. You can shape it again using a wooden stick. Serve ugali while hot with Kachumbari, nyama choma, sukuma wiki, or your favourite dishes.
Cup of Yum
Notes
- Feel free to enrich ugali with butter, margarine, salt, milk, or cream according to taste.
- Store leftovers in the refrigerator for 3-5 days or freeze for up to 6 months.
Nutrition Information
Calories
488kcal
(24%)
Carbohydrates
93g
(31%)
Protein
13g
(26%)
Fat
7g
(11%)
Saturated Fat
1g
(5%)
Sodium
10mg
(0%)
Potassium
410mg
(9%)
Fiber
12g
(48%)
Sugar
2g
(4%)
Calcium
10mg
(1%)
Iron
4mg
(22%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 5 Serving
Amount Per Serving
Calories 488
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 488kcal | 24% |
| Carbohydrates | 93g | 31% |
| Protein | 13g | 26% |
| Fat | 7g | 11% |
| Saturated Fat | 1g | 5% |
| Sodium | 10mg | 0% |
| Potassium | 410mg | 9% |
| Fiber | 12g | 48% |
| Sugar | 2g | 4% |
| Calcium | 10mg | 1% |
| Iron | 4mg | 22% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.