Bring 2 cups of water to the boil in a pot. Add salt if using.
Sprinkle in about ½ cup maize meal, stirring to prevent lumps. Let it simmer for 3–5 minutes.
Add the remaining maize meal gradually, without stirring too much.
Cover the pot and let it steam on low heat for 15–20 minutes.
Using a fork, break and fluff the pap until it becomes dry and crumbly.
If it’s too dry, sprinkle in a little boiling water and fluff again.
Cook uncovered for another 5 minutes, fluffing once more.