Chilled cornmeal pudding with farmer's cheese is mamalyga gone elegant: a buttery yellow cornmeal base set in a mold, then sliced and served with crumbled fresh cheese, sour cream, and black pepper. The long total time is almost entirely hands-off chilling. It's cool, mild, and quietly addictive on a warm day.
When the summer sun is blazing, the last thing I crave is a heavy, hot meal. Enter this wonderfully refreshing Chilled Cornmeal Pudding, a rustic dish with Eastern European roots that is the absolute antidote to a sweltering day. It’s a culinary gem—deceptively simple, satisfyingly creamy, and served cold for a delightful contrast of textures and temperatures. The firm, yet tender, cornmeal slices are the perfect canvas for tangy crumbled farmer’s cheese and a generous dollop of cool sour cream. It’s a light lunch or a unique side dish that pairs beautifully with a chilled borscht or a sweet fruit soup. Let’s bring this old-world comfort food into your modern kitchen!
Ingredients
• ¾ cup / 130g (4.6 oz) yellow corn meal
• 5½ to 6 cups (1440 ml) / 1.3 to 1.4 L water
• 1 to 1¼ tsp / 6 to 7.5g (0.26 oz) salt, plus more to taste
• ½ tsp / 2g (0.07 oz) sugar
• 4 Tbs / 57g (2.01 oz) butter
• ¾ lb / 340g (12 oz) fresh hoop or farmer cheese, crumbled
• 1 cup / 240g (8.5 oz) sour cream
• Freshly ground black pepper to taste
Instructions
1. In a medium-sized pot, stir together the corn meal and 5½ cups of water until smooth. Place over medium-low heat.
2. Heat the mixture slowly, stirring often with a whisk or wooden spoon to prevent lumps, until it begins to simmer.
3. Once simmering, stir in about 1 teaspoon (5 ml / 0.2 fl oz) of salt, the sugar, and the butter. Reduce the heat to low and continue to simmer gently for 35 to 40 minutes, stirring frequently to prevent it from sticking to the bottom of the pot.
4. The corn meal mush is ready when it has the consistency of a thin, pourable pudding. If it seems too stiff or grainy, stir in the remaining ½ cup of water.
5. Pour the finished mush into a smooth-surfaced 1.5-quart bowl or casserole dish. Allow it to cool to room temperature, then cover and transfer to the refrigerator to chill completely for at least 4 hours, or until it has jelled into a solid, firm mold.
6. When ready to serve, run a thin knife around the edge of the mold and carefully invert it onto a serving platter. Slice the cornmeal pudding thickly.
7. To serve, place one thick slice on each plate. Top generously with a few spoonfuls of crumbled farmer cheese, a large dollop of sour cream, and a crack of fresh black pepper.
Nutritional Information
• Serving Size: 1 slice (approx. 1/10th of recipe)
• Calories: 215 kcal
• Protein: 8g
• Fat: 14g
• Carbohydrates: 15g
• Note: These are approximate values and can vary based on specific used.
Pro Tips
• To ensure the mold releases cleanly, lightly grease your bowl or casserole dish with butter or a neutral oil before pouring in the hot mush.
• For a richer, creamier base, try substituting 1 cup (240 ml) of the water with whole milk or using a light vegetable broth instead of plain water.
• This is a fantastic make-ahead dish for entertaining. The cornmeal mold needs to be prepared at least 4 hours in advance (or even the day before) to set properly in the fridge.
• Elevate your toppings by adding a sprinkle of fresh herbs like dill or chives, or even some caramelized onions for a savory-sweet contrast.
FAQ
Q: Can I make this chilled cornmeal pudding vegan
A: Yes, you can adapt this recipe to be fully plant-based. Use a vegan butter substitute or coconut oil in the cornmeal base. For the toppings, replace the farmer’s cheese with a crumbled firm tofu or a store-bought vegan feta, and use a dairy-free sour cream alternative. The result will be a delicious vegan version of this refreshing dish.
Q: How can I add more protein to this vegetarian dish
A: The farmer’s cheese and sour cream already provide a good source of protein. To boost it further, consider topping your slice with toasted pumpkin seeds or hemp hearts for extra texture and protein. You could also serve it alongside a protein-rich side like a three-bean salad or a chilled lentil soup.
Q: What are good vegetarian substitutes for farmer’s cheese
A: If you can’t find farmer’s cheese, several other vegetarian-friendly cheeses work well. Try using a well-drained dry-curd cottage cheese, crumbled feta for a saltier flavor, or a mild, crumbly goat cheese. Each will offer a slightly different but equally delicious tangy contrast to the creamy cornmeal.
Q: How should I store the leftover cornmeal pudding
A: The uncut cornmeal pudding mold can be stored tightly covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Once sliced and served, it’s best to store any leftovers in an airtight container. Keep the pudding slices separate from the toppings to prevent them from becoming soggy. Leftovers are best eaten within 1-2 days.
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Chilled Cornmeal Pudding with Farmer's Cheese
Ingredients
Method
- In a medium-sized pot, stir together the corn meal and 5½ cups of water until smooth.
- Place over medium-low heat.
- Heat the mixture slowly, stirring often with a whisk or wooden spoon to prevent lumps, until it begins to simmer.
- Once simmering, stir in about 1 teaspoon (5 ml / 0.2 fl oz) of salt, the sugar, and the butter.
- Reduce the heat to low and continue to simmer gently for 35 to 40 minutes, stirring frequently to prevent it from sticking to the bottom of the pot.
- The corn meal mush is ready when it has the consistency of a thin, pourable pudding. If it seems too stiff or grainy, stir in the remaining ½ cup of water.
- Pour the finished mush into a smooth-surfaced 1. 5-quart bowl or casserole dish. Allow it to cool to room temperature, then cover and transfer to the refrigerator to chill completely for at least 4 hours, or until it has jelled into a solid, firm mold.
- When ready to serve, run a thin knife around the edge of the mold and carefully invert it onto a serving platter.
- Slice the cornmeal pudding thickly.
- To serve, place one thick slice on each plate.
- Top generously with a few spoonfuls of crumbled farmer cheese, a large dollop of sour cream, and a crack of fresh black pepper.
