Print
clockclock iconcutlerycutlery iconflagflag iconfolderfolder iconinstagraminstagram iconpinterestpinterest iconfacebookfacebook iconprintprint iconsquaressquares iconheartheart iconheart solidheart solid icon
Close up of a wooden spoon serving mamliga from a plate on a dining table.
Photo credit Sergio Amiti via Getty Images

Mamaliga: Romanian Polenta with Black Beans

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

No reviews

A traditional Romanian recipe reimagined with Tex-Mex flavors.

  • Total Time: 30 minutes
  • Yield: Serves 4

Ingredients

For the mamaliga:

  • 1 cup medium-grind cornmeal
  • 1 ½ cups milk, divided
  • 1 ½ cups water
  • 3 Tbsps butter or margarine
  • kosher salt, to taste

For the beans:

  • 2 Tbsp olive oil
  • 2 shallots, diced
  • pinch chili powder
  • 1 tsp cumin powder
  • 2 cans black beans, rinsed and drained
  • ¼-½ cup vegetable broth
  • juice of 1 lime
  • kosher salt, to taste

To serve:

  • cheddar cheese
  • sour cream
  • salsa
  • avocado, sliced

Instructions

  1. Whisk cornmeal together with 1 cup of milk in a medium bowl and set aside. Bring remaining milk and water to a boil in a medium pot. Turn heat down to low, add polenta mixture and cook, stirring constantly, until mixture thickens and begins to pull away slight from the sides of the pot, 7-10 minutes. Turn off heat; stir in butter and salt to taste. Ladle into bowls and serve hot.
  2. To make the beans: Heat oil in a medium pan over medium heat; add shallots and cook until brown, about 7 minutes. Stir in chili powder and cumin and let cook an additional 1-2 minutes until spices become fragrant.
  3. Lower heat; add black beans and broth and cook, stirring occasionally, until mixture thickens slightly. Stir in lime juice, and season with salt to taste. Serve spooned over mamaliga, garnished with cheddar cheese, sour cream, salsa and avocado slices.

Notes

If you prefer to make this dish pareve, use all water instead of half water and half milk, and margarine instead of butter.

  • Author: Leah Koenig
  • Prep Time: 5 minutes
  • Cook Time: 25 minutes
  • Category: Side dish
  • Method: Stovetop
  • Cuisine: Romanian