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Mămăligă cu brânză
Bring the water and salt to a boil in a heavy pan. Rain in the cornmeal in a thin stream, whisking constantly so it does not clump.
Questions about this dish
Answers taken from this dish's times, amounts, swaps and tips.
How long does Mămăligă cu brânză take?
40 min all in — 5 min prep, 35 min cook. Cook and rest follow the method. Leftover storage and optional extra waits are not included.
How many does it serve?
The recipe is written for 4 plates. Scale the ingredient list on the page if you are cooking for a different number.
How hard is it?
Easy.
How spicy is it?
No chilli.
What allergens should I watch?
This recipe is labelled for Milk. Labels are informational — check the packets in your kitchen. This is not medical advice.
Does it fit a diet?
The published recipe is labelled Vegetarian, Gluten-free, Nut-free.
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What does it cost to cook?
Cheap night — about Under $8 USD, as a grocery budget for this recipe, not a restaurant price.
What equipment do I need?
Saucepan, Frying pan.
How much salt do I put in?
The recipe lists Salt at 1½ tsp.
What can I use instead?
Feta → Mature salted ricotta or crumbly goat's cheese. Anything salty, white and crumbly does the job.
What should I watch for?
Hot polenta burns skin badly. Stir with a long spoon.
Any tips from this recipe?
Coarse cornmeal takes longer and tastes better than fine. Instant polenta gives a pasty result. Leftover mămăligă sets solid. Slice and fry it in butter for breakfast. Bulz is the next step: a ball of mămăligă stuffed with cheese and baked until the cheese runs.
Can I prepare this ahead?
Leftover mămăligă sets solid. Slice and fry it in butter for breakfast.
Can I use an air fryer?
This method is not written for an air fryer. The core technique on the page still applies.