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    Haitian Food » Mayi Moulen Ak Pwa Nwa

    Mayi Moulen Ak Pwa Nwa

    Posted On June 23, 2021 By Mirlene Last updated February 25, 2022 11 Comments

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    Haitian Mayi Moulen In white plate Pinterest Pin

    Haitian Mayi Moulen Ak Pwa Nwa is one of the creamiest, dreamiest mais (cornmeal) you can make in under 30 minutes.

    Haitian Mayi Moulen In white plate.

    Made from coarse cornmeal and cooked to perfection, they’re finished with a generous heap of black beans and our homemade epis. 

    Similar to our mais moulin and our mais moulen ak zepina meal, this mayi moulen ak pwa nwa (black beans) is as equally comforting, satisfying, and is perfect for a quick weeknight meal thanks to our Instant Pot Black Beans. 

     

    Dry Black Beans vs. Canned Black Beans

    When making your mayi moulen ak pwa nwa (cornmeal with black beans), the type of beans used does matter. Here are a few things to consider: 

    Dry beans cost less per serving than canned beans. 

    Canned beans are much more convenient than dry beans. It can take up to 4 hours to cook dry beans over the stove, and about 30 to 40 minutes in the Instant Pot. 

    black beans on white board and sack

    Dry beans has less sodium; whereas canned beans (depending on the brand and type of beans) may have up to 280 milligrams of sodium. 

    With dry beans, you can make up to 3 meals (depending on family size). You are much more limited with canned beans. 

    Are dried black beans better than canned?

    In essence, yes. 1 pack of black beans can serve up to 10. Black beans are budget friendly.

    Dry beans provide more opportunity to create more meals. 

    We often use canned beans to create our Cowboy Caviar. 

    Are dried beans healthier than canned beans?

    If you’d like to keep your meals on the healthy side, we recommend dried beans as they are slightly healthier than canned beans.

    Haitian Mayi Moulen In white plate.

    Canned beans tend to be higher in sodium and cholesterol. 

    How do I substitute dried black beans for canned?

    If you do not have the type to cook the dry beans, that’s perfectly fine. You can substitute the dry beans for canned beans. 

    In this recipe we used 1 cup of dried beans. To substitute the dried beans for canned beans, we recommend you use two 15-ounce cans of canned beans to equal to the amount of 2 cups cooked dried beans.  

    Difference Between Grits and Cornmeal

    In a nutshell, grits and corn are the same. Grits are ground corn. Grits got its name from the term “grist,” meaning grain for milling.

    Just like grits is ground corn, cornmeal is also ground corn. However, there are many versions of cornmeal. The finer cornmeal is used for porridges or polenta, and the coarse cornmeal is often used to recipes like this mayi moulen ak pwa nwa. 

    Types Of Corn

    Both grits and cornmeal are ground from the type of corn with low sugar and has a starchy center. This type of corn is knowns as dent corn. 

    corn and cornmeal in white plate - Haitian Mayi Moulen Recipe - Savory Thoughts

    When we refer to polenta, the type of corn that makes polenta is known as the Flint corn. Grits and polenta are almost commonly substitutable. 

    Ingredients

    To make this mayi moulen recipe, you’ll need a handful of ingredients. The full ingredient with the exact measurement is listed below. However, for now here’s what you’ll need. 

    • Coarse Cornmeal
    • Dried Black Beans
    • Oil
    • Yellow Onion (not sweet); roughly chopped
    • Ground Black Pepper
    • Epis
    • Salt; we used Kosher salt
    • 8 cups of water

    How To Make Haitian Mayi (Cornmeal)

    Wash the beans. In the instant pot, add the dry beans, then 8 cups of water. 

    black beans in sieve

    Cook for 30 minutes. It will take the instant pot about 8-10 minutes to come to temperature. 

    When the timer goes off, quick release. Strain the beans and reserve the water. Do not throw the water away!

    cooked black beans straining in sieve.

    Wash the cornmeal in a sieve until the water runs clear. Set aside. 

    washing Mayi Moulen in the sink

    In a medium saucepan over medium heat, add the oil, and onions, half of the epis about (¼ cup). Stir and cook for 30 seconds. Add the beans. Stir lightly. 

    Then add the cornmeal, the rest of the Epis and salt. Give it a quick stir.

    cornmeal over beans

    Then add the liquid used to cook the beans. Stir from the bottom up to avoid meal sticking to the bottom. 

    beans boiling on stove

    Cover and reduce the heat to medium low. Stir every 5-7 minutes from the bottom up to avoid sticking. After 20 minutes. Let stir then cover, let simmer for 5 minutes. 

    Serve warm and enjoy!

    Cooking Tips

    • Cornmeal just like grits will harden the longer it sits. 
    • If your mayi moulen starts to harden, add ½ cup water (at a time) until it is loosened. 
    • You do not want the meal to be too runny and you don’t want it to be too

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    Haitian Mayi Moulen In white plate.

    Creamy Mayi Moulen Recipe

    Savory Thoughts
    Haitian Mayi Moulen is one of the creamiest, dreamiest mais (cornmeal) you can make in under 30 minutes.
    5 from 6 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 10 mins
    Cook Time 25 mins
    Course Dinner, Main Course, Main Dish
    Cuisine Caribbean, Haitian
    Servings 6 People
    Calories 221 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    • 1 Cup Dried Black Beans Rinse, drain
    • 8 Cups Water
    • ¼ Cup Olive Oil
    • ½ Large Onion
    • ½ Cup Haitian Epis
    • 1 ½ Cup Coarse Yellow Cornmeal Wash, strain
    • 1 Tsp. Kosher Salt Or to taste
    • 1 Tsp. Ground Black Pepper

    Instructions
     

    • Wash the beans. In the instant pot, add the dry beans then 8 cups of water. Cook for 30 minutes. It will take the instant pot about 8-10 minutes to come to temperature.
      When the timer goes off, quick release. Strain the beans using a sieve and reserve the water. Do not throw the water away! Set both the water and the beans aside.
      Wash the cornmeal in a sieve until the water runs clear. Set aside.
      cooked black beans straining in sieve.
    • In a medium saucepan over medium heat, add the oil, and onions, half of the epis about (¼ cup). Stir and cook for 30 seconds. Add the beans. Stir lightly.
      Then add the cornmeal. Next, add the rest of the Epis and salt. Give it a quick stir.
      Add the liquid used to cook the beans. Stir from the bottom to the top. This will help the cornmeal not stick to the bottom.
      cornmeal over beans
    • Cover and reduce the heat to medium low. Stir every 5-7 minutes from the bottom up to avoid sticking. After 20 minutes. Let stir then cover, allow to simmer for 5 minutes.
      Serve warm and enjoy!
      Haitian Mayi Moulen In white plate.

    Video

    Notes

    This post contain affiliate links. See our full disclosure here. 
    **** When printing the recipe, please unselect the camera so that the pictures are NOT printed with the recipe (if preferred).
    Calories are estimated per serving only.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 6PeopleCalories: 221kcalCarbohydrates: 31gProtein: 7gFat: 10gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 7gSodium: 205mgPotassium: 64mgFiber: 5gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 1IUCalcium: 11mgIron: 11mg
    Making this recipe?Mention @MSavoryThoughts or tag #SavoryThoughts!
    Tried this recipe?Mention @SavoryThoughts or tag #SavoryThoughts!
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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Denise

      October 21, 2021 at 10:10 am

      I’d love to make a big pot of this and eat it all week!

      Reply
      • Mirlene

        October 28, 2021 at 4:02 am

        You should! It is very delicious 🙂

        Reply
    2. Amanda Wren-Grimwood

      October 21, 2021 at 10:00 am

      5 stars
      This looks like the perfect comfort meal that is so easy to do too. Full of delicious flavours!

      Reply
      • Mirlene

        October 28, 2021 at 4:03 am

        Thank you very much!

        Reply
    3. Dannii

      October 21, 2021 at 8:29 am

      5 stars
      I have never heard of this before, but it looks like a delicious budget friendly meal.

      Reply
      • Mirlene

        October 28, 2021 at 4:03 am

        Very budget friendly.

        Reply
    4. Anjali

      October 21, 2021 at 5:12 am

      5 stars
      I hadn’t heard of this recipe before but I’m so glad I came across it! Made it for my family tonight and it was so easy to make and super satisfying! Even my kids gobbled it up!

      Reply
      • Mirlene

        October 28, 2021 at 4:03 am

        Thank you, Anjali!

        Reply
    5. veenaazmanov

      October 21, 2021 at 4:13 am

      5 stars
      This looks rich, creamy and healthy. Never tried Black Bean ever. Sounds interesting.

      Reply
    6. Amber

      June 23, 2021 at 10:55 am

      5 stars
      Extremely delicious and full of flavor. Perfect for a weeknight meal.

      Reply
      • Mirlene

        June 23, 2021 at 10:56 am

        Thank you, Amber!

        Reply

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