Ugali

Boil the water

Bring the water to a rolling boil in a heavy pot with a pinch of salt.

Add the first maize meal

Sprinkle in about a third of the maize meal, whisking briskly to avoid lumps.

Cook a thin porridge

Let this thin porridge cook and thicken slightly, stirring often.

Add the rest of the maize meal

Add the remaining maize meal a little at a time, stirring hard with a wooden spoon after each addition.

Beat until stiff

Keep stirring and pressing the mixture against the sides of the pot until it becomes a stiff, smooth dough that pulls away cleanly.

Shape and serve

Turn the ugali out onto a plate, shape it into a smooth dome or round with a wet spoon, and serve hot.