DO This
Mupotohayi also known as Chimodho which is basically a form of cornmeal bread is common here in Zimbabwe. Not so sure if it’s still very common now, but back in the 80’s and 90’s it was popular. It went down well plain or buttered or with some margarine, jam or marmalade for those who could afford those extra “nice-ties”. It’s pretty simple and easy to make and may need an acquired taste for some. The other version of preparing this is on the stove top or in a potjie (caldron) over a fire. That would be the traditional method which I’m yet to try out myself. In the meantime let’s do this one!
Quick Instructions
- Preheat oven to 180 degrees Celsius/ 350 degrees Fahrenheit/ Gas Mark 5. Get all your ingredients ready and put your buttermilk/sour milk (250ml) in a jug. Add the oil (90 ml) and the egg (1 egg) to the sour milk, whisk and set aside.
- Take a bowl and sift mealie-meal (cornmeal) (180g/ 1 1/4 cup), plain flour (170g/ 1 1/2 cup), baking powder (1 tsp), bicarbonate of soda (1/2 tsp) and salt (1/2 tsp) into it. Add sugar (100g) and stir.
- Make a well, take set aside sour milk, egg and oil mixture and pour it into bowl with dry ingredients. Mix well until combined. Your batter is ready, get your baking tin ready.
- Grease your baking tin and dust it with some flour. Pour your mupotohayi batter into the tin and bake for about 45 minutes or until skewer comes out clean when inserted.
Pictorial Detailed Instructions
This is best served close to hot (that’s my preference!). It can however still be served cold. Store in an airtight container. Why don’t you give it a go and let me know how it went.
Rumbie wauya zvakanaka manje i have been wondering how to do this mupotohayi for a long time coz i never botherred to learn it my mom used to make it for us…lol.Thanks for the recipe will def try this pa wknd
Hi Mai Melissa, I know what you mean, we all have those moments where we wished we attention when our mothers used to cook!! I hope you’ll enjoy it! Thanks again for being a part of ZimboKitchen. Oh and how did the Rice Salad with Lime Dressing go?
This looks amazing. I will be trying this. Do you reckon I can try this with sorghum or millet to give it a twist instead of white maize meal. I love your blog!
Hi Racquel, thank you for dropping in. Yes I’m sure you can try it out with millet or sorghum. Do give it a go, I’d love to hear how it turns out. 😉
this looks so good from the time we used to make it in Chinhoyi over coals layed out on metal
Thank you Alfred… sweet memories 🙂
Thanks Rumbie. Your recipe is perfect. Am enjoying your recipes.
Thanks for the feedback Noma.. truly appreciated
kkk alfred wen i sw th title i js thot of th coals on top of th pot-lid…thnx to technology…takugadzira chimodho nemagetsi!
u doin a gret job
Thank you Marvis
You are a star Rumbie.God Bless you
Thank you for being a part of ZimboKitchen Memory, God bless you too 🙂
Thank you so much for this recipe, it turned out perfectly! I didn’t have buttermilk so I blended regular milk with Greek yogurt and it worked out. I also added a tin of whole corn kernels as per my mum’s recipe, it really gives the bread more flavour and texture. Thanks again, I had forgotten about this childhood delight!
very delicious thk for ur ecipe chimodho kunaka
Lol, thanks Tindo, glad to hear you liked it.
Rumbi, thanks for recipes. Love cornmeal cake and will be trying it this week. I actually was looking for a cake I tried as a child. I’m pretty sure it was called ‘chongwe’ or something like that. It had a distinctive sweet smell and I’m pretty sure it had alcohol in it just from my memory of the smell. Do you know what I mean and can I have the recipe. I grew up in matabeleland so it may have a different name in other regions. Thanks, Rach x
I was wondering how many does this feed? Girl scout World thinking Day is this weekend for my service unit and we picked Zimbabwe. We have to make a dish and this is the one the girls picked. We have to feed 150 girls. Any tips you can give me I love learning about all cultures.
Hi Rosa, this recipe is for about 9-10 servings. So you’d need about 15 of these to feed 150 girls! My tips would be on the serving suggestions which are already in the post. You can serve with a bit of butter and or marmalade or jam or margarine. Even golden or toffee syrup will work. All the best and thanks for dropping by.
Thanks one more question I see your measurements are in grams what would they be in cups or oz all the convention charts I find don’t give an accurate number. I have a measuring cup with ml on it so I am not worried there. Again thank you for all your help.
Hi Rosa, I’ll do a quick edit for you and put in the cups measurements. Glad to be of help.
Rumbie, any idea about the cake I asked about above? Chongwe or something like that. Rach x
Rumbie Thank you so much we are going to have so much fun making this and Sharing it with our sister Girl scouts this Saturday at World thinking day.
Hi Rosa, the post has been updated. You’re most welcome and all the best, I’m sure you’ll have a great time with the girls 🙂
Thank you so Much this was a hit at our Girlscout thinking day. and my family loves it as well so I have continued making it.
That’s awesome to hear Rosa, thanks for the feedback.
Rumbie! Thanks love izvi ndoozvatakakura nazvo ufunge. Am happy that you’re reminding us of our long forgotten recipes. This friday I will bake it for sharing at church. Continue doing the good job. God bless you.
Ndichanobika nhasi waita hako ndichishandisa hupfu hweGorosi(wheat meal) ndizvo zvakatirera
ndine bhodo rechingwa ndonyatsoisa mazimbe pasi nepamusoro
hi there.followed your instructions but used lacto chaiyo and people at home enjoyed hanzi chaita chidiki
That’s great to hear Sharon, you should make some more then, lol. Yes lacto is what I used in the recipe also!
Thanks for the recipe Rumbi I made it for my hubby to have with tea at work and he really loved it….asked for more. ☺I have tried many of your recipes and they have been enjoyed by my whole family.
I really appreciate ur recipe rumbie can i have more traditional recipes in my mail thanx in advance