Harina de Maiz

In Cuba, harina (flour) usually means finely ground yellow cornmeal. Cornmeal is boiled and eaten as a porridge or baked or mixed with meat to make tamal en cazuela, tamale in a casserole. When it is unavailable, regular ground cornmeal may be substituted. It is important to start cornmeal cooking in cold water, not boiling water. It should then be brought to a boil, and whisked frequently to prevent sticking.