When it comes to comfort food, few dishes can rival the creamy, cheesy goodness of buttered polenta. Made from coarsely ground cornmeal, this traditional Italian dish is a blank canvas that can be dressed up or down depending on your taste. Whether you prefer it simple with just butter and salt, or loaded with cheese, vegetables, or meat, there's a buttered polenta recipe out there for everyone. So gather your ingredients and let's get cooking!
Let's cook with our recipes!
BUTTERED POLENTA
Provided by Elena Faita-Venditelli
Categories Side Cornmeal Fall Winter Family Reunion Potluck Simmer Gourmet Sugar Conscious Vegetarian Pescatarian Wheat/Gluten-Free Peanut Free Tree Nut Free Soy Free No Sugar Added Kosher
Yield Makes 4 servings
Number Of Ingredients 5
Steps:
- Bring water, oil, and sea salt to a boil in a 4-quart heavy pot, then add polenta in a slow stream, whisking. Cook over moderate heat, whisking, 2 minutes. Reduce heat to low and cook at a bare simmer, uncovered, stirring frequently with a long-handled spoon, 45 minutes. Remove from heat, then add butter and stir until incorporated.
OVEN-BAKED CREAMY POLENTA
This warm and creamy side dish is perfect with our Braised Chicken with Mushrooms.
Provided by Martha Stewart
Categories Food & Cooking Ingredients Pasta and Grains
Time 35m
Number Of Ingredients 6
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 425 degrees. In an ovenproof saucepan with a lid, whisk together 3 cups water, cornmeal, salt, and pepper. Cover, and bake 30 minutes, stirring halfway through.
- Remove from oven, and add milk, butter, and marjoram; whisk briskly until smooth. Serve immediately.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 155 g, Protein 2 g
HOW TO MAKE PERFECT POLENTA
Polenta is nothing more than coarsely ground cornmeal. The classic ratio is 1 part polenta to 4 parts water, but I like to measure the polenta just a little scant of a full cup. I often use chicken broth instead of water. It's a perfect base for any kind of saucy meat or mushroom ragout.
Provided by Chef John
Categories Side Dish Grain Side Dish Recipes Polenta Recipes
Time 55m
Yield 4
Number Of Ingredients 5
Steps:
- Bring water and salt to a boil in a large saucepan; pour polenta slowly into boiling water, whisking constantly until all polenta is stirred in and there are no lumps.
- Reduce heat to low and simmer, whisking often, until polenta starts to thicken, about 5 minutes. Polenta mixture should still be slightly loose. Cover and cook for 30 minutes, whisking every 5 to 6 minutes. When polenta is too thick to whisk, stir with a wooden spoon. Polenta is done when texture is creamy and the individual grains are tender.
- Turn off heat and gently stir 2 tablespoons butter into polenta until butter partially melts; mix 1/2 cup Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese into polenta until cheese has melted. Cover and let stand 5 minutes to thicken; stir and taste for salt before transferring to a serving bowl. Top polenta with remaining 1 tablespoon butter and about 1 tablespoon freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese for garnish.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 291.2 calories, Carbohydrate 31 g, Cholesterol 33.4 mg, Fat 14.7 g, Fiber 2.7 g, Protein 9.2 g, SaturatedFat 8.2 g, Sodium 1186.1 mg, Sugar 2 g
EASY OVEN-BAKED REAL POLENTA (NOT INSTANT)
Why stir polenta forever when this delicious recipe works beautifully? I like to roast veggies (eggplant, zucchini, onion) while the polenta bakes, then when the polenta is done, top with roasted veggies and some chopped tomatoes, some spices, and bake another 20 minutes. It's dinner.
Provided by Nancy
Categories Side Dish Grain Side Dish Recipes Polenta Recipes
Time 1h10m
Yield 4
Number Of Ingredients 7
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease a 2-quart casserole dish with cooking spray.
- Pour water into the prepared dish; stir in polenta and salt.
- Bake in the preheated oven until polenta is thickened, about 40 minutes. Stir in squash, sour cream, and Cheddar cheese. Continue baking until cheese is melted, about 10 minutes more. Let stand for 10 minutes before serving.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 304.9 calories, Carbohydrate 32.1 g, Cholesterol 34.1 mg, Fat 15.1 g, Fiber 2.7 g, Protein 10.5 g, SaturatedFat 8.4 g, Sodium 533.1 mg, Sugar 2.1 g
HERBED POLENTA
Provided by Giada De Laurentiis
Categories side-dish
Time 35m
Yield 6 servings
Number Of Ingredients 10
Steps:
- Bring the water to a boil in a heavy large saucepan. Add 2 teaspoons of salt. Gradually whisk in the cornmeal. Reduce the heat to low and cook until the mixture thickens and the cornmeal is tender, stirring often, about 15 minutes. Remove from the heat. Add the cheese, milk, butter, parsley, rosemary, thyme, and pepper, and stir until the butter and cheese melt. Transfer the polenta to a bowl and serve.
BUTTERED POLENTA
Categories Side Vegetarian Cornmeal Hominy/Cornmeal/Masa Gourmet Sugar Conscious Pescatarian Wheat/Gluten-Free Peanut Free Tree Nut Free Soy Free No Sugar Added Kosher
Yield Makes 4 servings
Number Of Ingredients 5
Steps:
- Bring water, oil, and sea salt to a boil in a 4-quart heavy pot, then add polenta in a slow stream, whisking. Cook over moderate heat, whisking, 2 minutes. Reduce heat to low and cook at a bare simmer, uncovered, stirring frequently with a long-handled spoon, 45 minutes. Remove from heat, then add butter and stir until incorporated.
- Serve immediately.
POLENTA WITH BRAISED ROOT VEGETABLES
Start the polenta before you begin the braised vegetables. By the time the polenta is ready, you'll have a wonderful topping and a comforting winter meal.
Provided by Martha Rose Shulman
Categories dinner, weekday, main course
Time 1h40m
Yield Serves four
Number Of Ingredients 15
Steps:
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Butter or oil a 2-quart baking dish. Combine the polenta, salt and water in the baking dish. Place in the oven on a baking sheet. Bake 50 minutes. Stir in the butter, and bake for another 10 to 15 minutes until the polenta is soft and all of the liquid has been absorbed. Stir in the cheese, if using.
- While the polenta is baking, cook the vegetables. Heat the oil in a large, heavy nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add the onion and cook, stirring, until it begins to soften, about 3 minutes. Add the carrots, kohlrabi and parsnip, and then season with salt. Cook, stirring often, until tender, about 10 minutes. Add the garlic, and stir together for about a minute until fragrant. Stir in the tomatoes with their liquid, a pinch of sugar and salt to taste. Cook over medium heat, stirring often, for 15 minutes until the tomatoes are cooked down and fragrant. Add lots of freshly ground pepper, taste and adjust salt, and remove from the heat.
- Serve the polenta with the vegetables spooned on top.
Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 292, UnsaturatedFat 4 grams, Carbohydrate 53 grams, Fat 8 grams, Fiber 9 grams, Protein 6 grams, SaturatedFat 2 grams, Sodium 1277 milligrams, Sugar 10 grams, TransFat 0 grams
BUTTERED POLENTA
Polenta has been a staple in Italy since early Rome. It is cooked cornmeal - very similar to grits. They DO take some time to cook, but I think they are sooo worth the wait (and the workout)! Just remember to add slowly - just a trickle - into a pot of boiling water. This came from Gourmet magazine...DH is threatening to throw them away :( It will be here for safe keeping!
Provided by SkinnyMinnie
Categories European
Time 50m
Yield 4 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 5
Steps:
- Bring water, oil and salt to a boil in a 4-quart heavy pot.
- Add polenta in a very slow stream, whisking while you add.
- Cook over medium heat, whisking for 2 minute.
- Reduce heat to low and cook at a bare simmer, uncovered, stirring frequently with a long-handled wooden spoon (this helps to cut down on splatter), 45 minute.
- Remove from heat, then add butter and stir to incorporate.
- Serve immediately.
- Any leftovers will set up and can be sliced and fried -- that is yummy goodness!
Nutrition Facts : Calories 178.4, Fat 8.8, SaturatedFat 3.4, Cholesterol 11.4, Sodium 774, Carbohydrate 23.4, Fiber 2.2, Sugar 0.2, Protein 2.5
OVEN-BAKED POLENTA
Provided by Nigella Lawson
Categories side dish
Time 1h15m
Yield 4 to 6 servings
Number Of Ingredients 4
Steps:
- Butter a shallow 2 1/2- to 3-quart baking dish, and set aside. Place stock or water and salt into a large saucepan, and bring to simmer. Remove pan from heat.
- Heat oven to 350 degrees. Slowly pour polenta into stock, stirring rapidly with a wooden spoon. Place pan on medium heat. Slowly bring to a boil, stirring constantly in same direction. Boil 5 minutes, continuing to stir.
- Pour polenta into buttered dish, and cover with buttered foil. Bake for 1 hour. Remove foil and serve.
Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 362, UnsaturatedFat 4 grams, Carbohydrate 56 grams, Fat 9 grams, Fiber 2 grams, Protein 12 grams, SaturatedFat 4 grams, Sodium 888 milligrams, Sugar 6 grams, TransFat 0 grams
QUICK POLENTA ROUNDS WITH SAGE BUTTER AND PARMESAN
This delicious and quick recipe calls for "1 tube prepared polenta" - Many grocery stores carry pre-made polenta in tubes in the refrigerator section which can be sliced into rounds. If you don't have access to pre-made polenta or wish to make your own, I recommend following RecipeZaar "Recipe #45131" (omitting only the last step). Alternately, you can make polenta to your liking, spreading it on a baking sheet while still hot in a 1/4" layer, and cool it in the fridge for an hour or until firm, then use a juice glass to cut small disks out of the polenta. I changed this recipe on 12/11/06 to reflect reviewers' feedback.
Provided by Whats Cooking
Categories Corn
Time 13m
Yield 4-6 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 10
Steps:
- Spray or spread cooking oil on the bottom and sides of a broiler-safe baking dish.
- Cut polenta in 1/4" thick disks. Place these disks on the bottom of the greased baking dish, overlapping them slightly so that there is no space in between disks.
- Sprinkle cheese evenly across the polenta.
- In a skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add olive oil. When the butter/oil mixture is fully heated, immediately add sage, stirring constantly. Cook for no more than 30 seconds.
- Add chopped garlic and sauté very briefly, until garlic starts to perfume the oil but has not yet browned. Add a pinch of salt and pepper. Remove from heat and drizzle over polenta.
- Broil for 3-5 minutes.
Tips:
- Use fresh ingredients: The quality of your ingredients will greatly impact the final dish, so make sure to use fresh vegetables, herbs, and cheese.
- Cook the polenta slowly: Polenta takes time to cook, so be patient and stir it frequently to prevent it from sticking to the pot.
- Season the polenta well: Polenta can be bland on its own, so be sure to season it with salt, pepper, and other herbs and spices to taste.
- Don't overcook the vegetables: The vegetables should be cooked until tender but still have a bit of a bite to them.
- Serve the polenta hot: Polenta is best served hot, so make sure to eat it as soon as it's cooked.
Conclusion:
Buttered polenta is a simple but delicious dish that can be enjoyed for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. It's a great way to use up leftover vegetables, and it's also a good source of fiber and vitamins. With a few simple ingredients and a little bit of time, you can easily make a delicious pot of polenta that your whole family will enjoy.
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