Akasan

Name: Akasan
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 25 min
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: Haitian
Ingredients: 1 cup cornmeal (polenta); 4 cups whole milk; 1/2 cup sweetened condensed milk; 2 tbsp butter; 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon; 1/2 tsp vanilla extract; 1/8 tsp ground nutmeg; 1/8 tsp salt

A creamy cornmeal porridge sweetened with condensed milk, cinnamon, and vanilla. A classic Haitian breakfast that's warming and comforting.

25 minEasyServes 4280 cal/serving

HaitianBreakfastStovetopVegetarian

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Ingredients

1 cup cornmeal (polenta)
4 cups whole milk
1/2 cup sweetened condensed milk
2 tbsp butter
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1/8 tsp ground nutmeg
1/8 tsp salt

Instructions

1

In a large saucepan, bring 4 cups whole milk and 2 tbsp butter to a boil over medium-high heat.
2

Slowly whisk in 1 cup cornmeal (polenta), stirring constantly to avoid lumps, until well combined.
3

Reduce heat to low and simmer, stirring frequently, for 15-20 minutes until the mixture thickens and the cornmeal (polenta) softens.
4

Stir in 1/2 cup sweetened condensed milk, 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon, 1/2 tsp vanilla extract, 1/8 tsp ground nutmeg, and 1/8 tsp salt.
5

Continue cooking for 2-3 minutes until creamy and smooth. Adjust sweetness if needed.
6

Pour into bowls and serve hot.

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Questions

What is Akasan?

A creamy cornmeal porridge sweetened with condensed milk, cinnamon, and vanilla. A classic Haitian breakfast that's warming and comforting. This reference files it under Haitian breakfast: made on the stovetop, rated easy and about 25 minutes start to finish.

How do I know when Akasan is done?

Go by the cues in the method rather than the clock. Step 3: cook until the mixture thickens and the cornmeal (polenta) softens.

Is there a substitute for sweetened condensed milk in Akasan?

The entry for Akasan calls for 1/2 cup sweetened condensed milk. In its place: There is no quick swap. Simmer two cups of milk with two thirds of a cup of sugar until reduced by half, about 35 minutes.

Can I make Akasan dairy-free?

Yes. The dairy in Akasan is 4 cups whole milk, 1/2 cup sweetened condensed milk, 2 tbsp butter. Swap the milk for unsweetened oat or soy milk; the sweetened condensed milk for a plant-based version of the same product; the butter for olive oil where it melts, or a plant-based block butter where it is creamed. The richness shifts slightly, but the method does not change.

How long does Akasan keep?

Refrigerate what is left of Akasan within two hours and eat it within three days. Reheat gently on the stovetop.

Serve it with

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