Pap and Wors Recipe

 

Pap and Wors Recipe with Spicy Tomato Relish

Pap and wors is one of the most beloved traditional South African comfort-food combinations. This easy pap and wors recipe pairs soft, hearty maize meal pap with juicy boerewors and a homemade spicy tomato relish made with tomatoes, onion, garlic, chilli, brown sugar and Worcestershire sauce.

Simple, filling and budget-friendly, South African pap and wors is a satisfying meal for family dinners, weekend lunches or casual gatherings. The sweet-and-spicy tomato relish adds plenty of flavour to the mild pap and savoury boerewors.

What Is Pap and Wors?

Pap and wors is a classic South African meal made with pap, a maize meal staple, and wors, usually South African boerewors. Pap has a mild, comforting flavour that pairs especially well with grilled or pan-fried sausage.

This version adds a spicy tomato relish for extra flavour. The relish combines chopped tomatoes, onion, garlic, chilli, brown sugar and Worcestershire sauce into a rich, slightly sweet and spicy sauce that is spooned over the pap and boerewors.

Why You'll Love This Pap and Wors

• Classic South African comfort food: Pap and boerewors is a much-loved combination.
• Budget-friendly: The recipe uses simple, affordable ingredients.
• Easy to make: The pap, relish and boerewors can be prepared with straightforward cooking methods.
• Full of flavour: The spicy tomato relish adds sweetness, heat and savoury depth.
• Perfect for family meals: This recipe serves 4 people.

Ingredients for Pap and Wors

For the Pap

• 2 cups maize meal
• 4 cups water
• Pinch of salt

For the Spicy Tomato Relish

• 2 tins chopped tomatoes
• 1 onion, finely chopped
• 1 garlic clove, crushed
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar
• 2 chillies, seeded and chopped
• 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• Salt and pepper, to taste

For the Wors

• 1-2 packets OK Choice boerewors

How to Make Pap and Wors

1. Cook the pap. Pour the water into a pot, add a pinch of salt and once it’s boiling, add the 2 cups of pap.

2. Stir the maize meal. Combine by stirring vigorously with a wooden spoon.

3. Reduce the heat. Reduce the heat and keep stirring for about 5 minutes.

4. Simmer the pap. Put the lid on, and gently simmer the pap for 30 minutes, or until cooked through.

5. Make the relish. While the pap is cooking, prepare the spicy tomato relish.

6. Sauté the onion and garlic. Heat a saucepan, add the olive oil and sauté the onion and garlic until soft.

7. Simmer the tomato relish. Add the chopped chilli, tomato, Worcestershire sauce, brown sugar and seasoning. Stir and leave to gently simmer until the sauce has thickened and the flavours have developed, about 25 minutes.

8. Cook the boerewors. Grill or pan-fry the boerewors until it’s done to your liking, for a maximum of 10 minutes per side.

9. Serve. Serve the boerewors with a side of pap and spoonfuls of spicy tomato relish.

Tips for Making the Best Pap and Wors

Stir the pap well: Stirring vigorously while adding the maize meal helps combine it with the water and contributes to a smooth, evenly cooked pap.

Cook the pap gently: Once the pap has been combined, reduce the heat and let it simmer gently with the lid on.

Adjust the chilli: Remove the seeds for a milder relish or leave some seeds in if you prefer more heat.

Let the relish thicken: Give the tomato relish enough time to simmer so excess liquid cooks away and the flavours become more concentrated.

Don't overcook the boerewors: Cook the wors until done to your liking and avoid excessively high heat that could burn the outside before the sausage is cooked through.

What Is Boerewors?

Boerewors is a traditional South African sausage known for its distinctive seasoning and coarse texture. It is commonly grilled, pan-fried or cooked over an open fire and is a natural pairing for maize meal pap.

For this recipe, the boerewors is cooked separately and served alongside the pap and spicy tomato relish.

Can I Make the Tomato Relish Less Spicy?

Yes. The two chillies give the relish its spicy character, but you can reduce the amount for a milder version. Removing the chilli seeds can also reduce the heat.

For a sweeter, milder tomato relish, you can keep the chilli to a minimum while retaining the brown sugar and Worcestershire sauce for flavour.

What to Serve With Pap and Wors

Pap and wors is already a filling meal, especially when served with the spicy tomato relish. You can also add simple sides such as:

• Green salad
• Steamed vegetables
• Chakalaka
• Braised greens
• Additional tomato relish

The combination of soft pap, savoury boerewors and spicy tomato relish makes a satisfying meal without requiring many additional sides.

Storage

Allow leftover pap, boerewors and tomato relish to cool appropriately before storing them separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator.

For the best texture, reheat the pap gently and reheat the boerewors and relish thoroughly before serving. Store and reheat leftovers according to standard food-safety practices.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is pap and wors?

Pap and wors is a traditional South African meal consisting of maize meal pap served with wors, commonly boerewors. It is often accompanied by a sauce, relish or chakalaka.

What is pap made from?

Pap is made from maize meal cooked with water. It is a staple food in South Africa and has a mild flavour that works well with savoury meat and sauces.

What is the best sausage for pap and wors?

Boerewors is the traditional choice for pap and wors. Its savoury seasoning and coarse texture complement the soft maize meal pap.

How do you make pap for pap and wors?

For this recipe, maize meal is added to boiling salted water, stirred vigorously, then cooked gently with the lid on for about 30 minutes, or until cooked through.

What is the sauce served with pap and wors?

This recipe uses a spicy tomato relish made with chopped tomatoes, onion, garlic, chillies, brown sugar and Worcestershire sauce.

Can pap and wors be made less spicy?

Yes. Reduce or omit the chillies in the tomato relish to make the dish milder while keeping the tomato, brown sugar and Worcestershire flavours.

Recipe Details

Servings: 4

Total Time: 40 minutes

Main Dish: South African pap and wors

Difficulty: Easy

Final Thoughts

This pap and wors recipe brings together three simple components: soft maize meal pap, savoury South African boerewors and a bold spicy tomato relish.

It's an affordable, hearty and flavourful example of South African comfort food, making it an excellent choice when you want a simple family meal that feels both traditional and satisfying.