Malawi Mbatata - Cheese and Simsim Balls
Malawi Mbatata – Cheese and Simsim Balls are a delicious and savory-sweet snack or appetizer from Malawi, a country known as "The Warm Heart of Africa." These delightful balls are made from mashed sweet potato, spiced and mixed with grated cheese for a rich flavor, then rolled in sesame seeds (Simsim) and deep-fried until golden and crispy. They offer a fantastic combination of soft, sweet interior and a crunchy, nutty exterior.
Equipment
- Large Pot/Saucepan
- Potato masher or fork
- Shallow Bowl or Plate
- Deep Pot or Deep Fryer
- Slotted spoon or spider
- Plate lined with Paper Towels
Ingredients
- 3 large red or white sweet potatoes, peeled and roughly chopped
- 5 tsp sugar
- 2 tsp cinnamon
- 2 tsp mixed spice
- 1 tsp salt
- 4 tbsp corn flour
- 200 g grated hard cheese (eg. cheddar)
- 3/4 cup white sesame seeds
- 100 grams Vegetable oil
Instructions
Prepare the Sweet Potato Base
- Peel and roughly chop the 3 large sweet potatoes.3 large red or white sweet potatoes, peeled and roughly chopped
- Place the chopped sweet potatoes in a large pot and cover with water. Add a pinch of the 1 teaspoon salt to the water.1 tsp salt
- Bring to a boil and cook until the sweet potatoes are very soft and easily pierced with a fork (approx. 15-20 minutes).
- Drain the water completely and transfer the cooked sweet potatoes to a large mixing bowl.
- Mash the sweet potatoes thoroughly with a potato masher or fork until smooth.
- Season and Bind the Mixture (with Associated Ingredients and Inline Ingredients):
- Add the 5 teaspoons sugar, 2 teaspoons cinnamon, 2 teaspoons mixed spice, and the remainder of the 1 teaspoon salt to the mashed sweet potatoes. Mix well to combine all the spices.5 tsp sugar, 2 tsp cinnamon, 2 tsp mixed spice, 1 tsp salt
- Sprinkle in the 4 Tablespoons cornflour. Mix thoroughly. Note: If the mixture still seems too sticky or soft to roll into balls, add an extra tablespoon of cornflour at a time until the mixture is firm but still moist.4 tbsp corn flour
- Gently fold in the 200 grams grated hard cheese until it is evenly distributed throughout the sweet potato mixture.200 g grated hard cheese (eg. cheddar)
Shape and Coat the Balls (with Associated Ingredients and Inline Ingredients):
- Pour the 3/4 cup white sesame seeds onto a shallow bowl or plate.3/4 cup white sesame seeds
- Take a walnut-sized portion of the sweet potato mixture and roll it into a firm ball with your hands (about 1.5 inches in diameter).
- Roll the sweet potato ball in the sesame seeds, pressing gently so that the seeds adhere to the entire surface.
- Place the coated balls on a plate and allow them to rest for about 10 minutes to set slightly.
Fry the Balls (with Associated Ingredients and Inline Ingredients):
- Pour vegetable oil into a deep pot or deep fryer to a depth of about 2 inches. Heat the oil over medium-high heat until it reaches 350°F∘ (175∘100 grams Vegetable oil
- C). To test the oil, drop a tiny pinch of the sweet potato mixture; it should sizzle immediately.
- Carefully lower the Malawi Mbatata – Cheese and Simsim Balls into the hot oil, frying in batches to avoid overcrowding the pot (this prevents the oil temperature from dropping).
- Fry for about 3-4 minutes, turning them occasionally with a slotted spoon until they are golden brown and crispy all over.
- Remove the balls with the slotted spoon and place them on a plate lined with paper towels to drain excess oil.
Serve:
- Serve immediately while warm, as a delicious snack or appetizer.
Notes
- Consistency is Key: The sweet potato mash must be firm enough to hold its shape. If it's too wet, add a little extra cornflour. If it's too dry, a tiny splash of milk can help.
- Cheese Choice: Cheddar offers a strong, savory contrast, while mozzarella will provide a nice, gooey center. Use any hard or semi-hard cheese you prefer.
- Frying Temperature: Maintain the oil temperature between and ( and ). If the oil is too hot, the outside will burn before the cheese melts inside. If it's too cool, the balls will absorb too much oil.
- Freezing: The un-fried balls can be frozen. Place them on a tray until solid, then transfer them to an airtight bag. Fry from frozen, adding an extra 1-2 minutes to the cook time.
Nutrition
Calories: 450kcal
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