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Vegetarian, Africa and overseas

Chakalaka and pap

Chakalaka and pap is a vegetarian South African dish for 4, ready in 45 minutes, easy to make, for about €1.60 per person. It's a spicy relish of white beans, carrots and peppers, served over soft white cornmeal pap. The key to getting it right is toasting the curry powder in the oil and letting the relish simmer long enough for the flavors to come together.

Tonight we're heading to South Africa with a chakalaka, a spicy relish of white beans, carrots and peppers, served with soft, comforting pap.

Chakalaka and pap
Total time
45 min
Difficulty
Easy
Cost per person
€1.60
Calories per person
580 kcalcalculated by Kiloach, your weight coach
Season
Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall
The kids
They generally like it

Chakalaka is a long simmered vegetable sauce, warmed up with curry powder and chile, that still keeps some crunch thanks to coarsely grated carrots and diced peppers. White beans add body and make the dish filling without any meat. You control the heat, so it works anywhere from mild to fiery depending on who's at the table.

Pap, a soft white cornmeal porridge, soaks up the sauce and cools down the spice. It's a weeknight dinner that breaks the routine, simple enough for kids if you go easy on the chile, and it actually tastes even better the next day.

The ingredients

4 people

Pantry

  • White beans in tomato sauceoften in the pantry 2 can
  • Curry powderoften in the pantry 2 tbsp
  • Crushed tomatoesoften in the pantry 200 g
  • White cornmealoften in the pantry 250 g
  • Oiloften in the pantry 3 tbsp
  • Saltoften in the pantry 1 pinch
  • Pepperoften in the pantry 1 pinch

Fruits and vegetables

  • Carrots 3
  • Red bell peppers 2
  • Onion 2
  • Garlic 3 cloves
  • Chile pepper 1

The step by step recipe

  1. Sauté the sliced onions, garlic and chopped chile in the oil, then stir in the curry powder. 6 min

    Toast the curry powder in the oil for a minute, it wakes up the aromas.

  2. Add the diced peppers and grated carrots and let them soften. 10 min

    Cover for a few minutes, the vegetables cook in their own juices.

  3. Pour in the tomatoes and the beans with their sauce, season with salt and pepper and let simmer over low heat. 15 min

    The longer chakalaka rests, the better it tastes, feel free to make it the day before.

  4. Bring 1 liter of salted water to a boil, pour in the cornmeal in a steady stream and stir constantly. 12 min

    Use a whisk at first, then switch to a wooden spoon once the mixture thickens.

  5. Cover the pap and let it swell over very low heat, then serve it with the chakalaka. 10 min

    If you can't find white cornmeal, yellow polenta works just fine.

Our tips to get it right

  • Pick firm, meaty peppers, they hold their shape better and keep the sauce from turning watery.
  • Taste the chakalaka before serving and adjust the chile or salt, the flavors shift as it simmers.
  • Stir the pap constantly the moment you add the cornmeal, that's what keeps it lump free.

The variations

  • Swap the white beans for chickpeas for a slightly firmer bite.
  • For a milder, kid friendly version, remove the chile seeds or skip the chile entirely.
  • To save time, use pre shredded carrots and frozen diced peppers.

What to serve it with

  • Plain yogurt to cool things down
  • Crusty bread for dipping
  • Rooibos tea

Storage

Chakalaka keeps for 3 days in the fridge in a sealed container and freezes well. Reheat it gently, adding a splash of water if it's thickened too much. Pap is best made fresh, but you can reheat it in the microwave or over steam with a little water.

Questions about this dish

Can you make chakalaka ahead of time?

Yes, and it's actually better that way. Chakalaka deepens in flavor after a night in the fridge, so just reheat it gently and serve with freshly made pap.

Can you substitute the white cornmeal?

Regular yellow polenta works just as well as white cornmeal, it just gives the pap a slightly more golden color. The texture and cooking method stay the same.

Does chakalaka freeze well?

Yes, it freezes easily in an airtight container for 2 to 3 months. Thaw it in the fridge, then reheat gently on the stove before serving.

How do you make this dish kid friendly?

Remove the chile seeds or swap the chile for a pinch of sweet paprika to keep the color without the heat. The rest of the recipe is already easy for younger kids to enjoy.

How long does it take to make a chakalaka with pap?

Count 45 min in total, prep and cooking included. The recipe is rated “easy”.

How many calories are in a chakalaka with pap?

About 580 kcal per serving, for a recipe meant for 4 people. Calories are calculated by Kiloach, your weight coach, the app that partners with Mon Chou.

How much does a chakalaka with pap cost?

About €1.60 per serving, or €6.40 for 4 people, based on average supermarket prices.

What allergens does this recipe contain?

This recipe contains none of the major allergens tracked by Mon Chou. Always check the labels of the products you buy.

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