Diet: Vegetarian, Gluten-Free
Polenta is essentially cooked cornmeal and is a dish that can be served for breakfast, lunch or dinner and can be served hot or cold, soft or hard; making it one of the most versatile foods.
To make it, ground corn is boiled in water or other liquids to create a warm, creamy mixture that has a mild, nutty flavor. It can be made with various types of milk and can be jazzed up with butter, cheese, herbs and vegetables and even sweetened for breakfast or dessert. The typical ratio for cooking polenta is 1 cup cornmeal to 4 cups of liquid (1:4). For a firmer polenta that can be chilled and fried, a ratio of 1:3 will assure a more solid polenta that stays together.
Ingredients
- 4 cups water
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup yellow cornmeal
- 1-3 tablespoons butter (optional)
Directions
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Bring the water to a brisk boil over medium-high heat. Add the salt.
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While whisking gently, pour the cornmeal into the boiling water in a steady stream.
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Turn down the heat to low and continue whisking until the cornmeal has thickened enough that it doesn’t settle back on the bottom of the pan when you stop stirring.
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Cover the pan and continue cooking. Stir vigorously every 10 minutes or so, making sure to scrape the sides and bottom of the pan. Cook for 30 minutes for softer porridge-like polenta or 40 minutes for a thicker polenta.
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Stir in the butter (if using) and serve immediately
Leftover Polenta: Polenta will solidify into the shape of the container in which your store it. Leftover polenta can be sliced or cubed before being roasted, grilled or fried. To make it creamy again, warm it with a little liquid and stir vigorously. It won’t be quite as creamy as it was originally, but is should still be pourable.
Recipe Notes
Topping ideas:
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-Your favorite pasta sauce
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-Sautéed greens and protein of choice including meats, tofu, cheese, lentils and legumes
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-Steamed or cooked veggies
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-Cheese or nutritional yeast, herbs or other favorite seasonings
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-Your favorite baked-potato toppings
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-Caramelized onions and sautéed mushrooms
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-Goat or feta cheese, sundried tomatoes and fresh basil
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-Make as breakfast cereal by adding your choice of nuts, seeds, dried fruits, fresh fruit, milk and sweetener (if desired).