Lesotho | Breakfast

Motoho

A tangy, slightly sour fermented sorghum porridge — Lesotho's traditional breakfast that warms the body against the cold highland mornings.

Country
Lesotho
Region
Southern Africa
Time
40 min
Serves
4
Level
easy
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Recipe overview

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Motoho is the traditional breakfast porridge of the Basotho, made from fermented sorghum or maize. The fermentation gives it a distinctive sour tang that Basotho people love. In the mountain kingdom where winter temperatures drop well below freezing, a bowl of warm motoho is the perfect start to the day, providing sustained energy for long hours of work.

What the dish tastes like

A tangy, slightly sour fermented sorghum porridge — Lesotho's traditional breakfast that warms the body against the cold highland mornings.

When to cook it

Best for Breakfast, with a easy cooking level and about 40 minutes total.

What to serve alongside it

Sugar or honey and milk

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Servings: 4

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How to cook it

Step-by-step instructions

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1
Make the base
Mix the sorghum flour with 500ml of cold water to form a smooth paste. Bring the remaining 1 litre of water to a boil in a pot.
2
Cook the porridge
Gradually pour the sorghum paste into the boiling water, stirring constantly to prevent lumps. Reduce heat and simmer for 15 minutes, stirring frequently.
Keep stirring to prevent the porridge from catching on the bottom of the pot.
Cook porridge 15:00
3
Add the malt
Remove from heat and let the porridge cool to lukewarm. Stir in the sorghum malt, mixing thoroughly. The malt will begin the fermentation process and thin the porridge slightly.
The porridge must be lukewarm, not hot, or the malt enzymes will be destroyed.
4
Ferment
Cover the pot and leave at room temperature overnight or for at least 8 hours. The porridge will develop a pleasant sour tang.
In warmer weather, fermentation happens faster — check after 6 hours.
Ferment 480:00
5
Reheat and serve
The next morning, gently reheat the motoho over low heat, stirring well. Add sugar or honey to taste. Serve warm in bowls, adding milk if desired.
The consistency should be pourable, like a thick smoothie — add water if too thick.
Reheat 05:00

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