Polenta Recipe
Total Time
25 minutes
Cook Time
25 minutes
Rating
5 out of 5 stars
(4)
Ingredients
4 servings
- 1 cup polenta (fine ground cornmeal or medium ground cornmeal)
- 3 ½ -4 cups cold water (or milk)
- ¾ teaspoons salt
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil or butter
- fresh cracked black pepper
- Optional: ¼-½ cup pecorino cheese, parmesan cheese, creamy goat cheese, or any other melty cheese like cheddar, pepper jack, mozzarella or provolone. Add more to taste.
- Optional garnish: fresh herbs- basil, Italian parsley, thyme.
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Preparation
Step 1
Place cornmeal in a medium heavy bottom pot or Dutch oven and whisk with the cold water and salt to create a slurry.
Step 2
Cover, and heat over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally until it just reaches a simmer (no need to boil); whisk well, cover again, and lower heat to low heat for 15-20 minutes, cooking until the grains “open up” and have a creamy consistency. (Fine-ground cornmeal will cook faster than medium-ground cornmeal.)
Step 3
Add more water to create the consistency you want. I like it creamy but not runny- so any toppings easily sit on top and don’t sink down.
Step 4
Whisk in the olive oil or butter, and add the optional cheese. Remember to wait to add any fat, until after the grains have fully cooked.
Step 5
Taste and adjust salt and add pepper.
Step 6
Serve while warm and creamy, sprinkle with fresh herbs or any of the suggested toppings.
Step 7
Save recipe for the next time?
