HOW TO MAKE PERFECT POLENTA

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How to Make Perfect Polenta image

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

4 cups water
1 teaspoon fine salt
1 cup polenta
3 tablespoons butter, divided
½ cup freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese, plus more for garnish

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

Ghaffar Abbasi
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This polenta is the perfect side dish for any occasion. It's simple to make and always a crowd-pleaser.


yaw sam
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This polenta is a great way to get your kids to eat their vegetables. I like to add some pureed vegetables to the polenta, and they never even notice.


Preye Ogolo
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I love that this polenta is made with whole grain cornmeal. It's a much healthier option than traditional polenta.


bibek blaze
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This polenta is a great way to use up leftover cornmeal. I always have some on hand, so it's a great last-minute meal option.


shelby vanorder
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I've never been a big fan of polenta, but this recipe changed my mind. It's so creamy and flavorful, I could eat it every day.


Antor Hasan
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This polenta is the perfect blank canvas for adding your own flavors. I like to add herbs, spices, and cheese to make it my own.


Azan Javed
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I'm so glad I found this polenta recipe. It's now my go-to recipe when I want to make a quick and easy meal.


Sanjida Akter
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This polenta is so versatile. I've served it as a side dish, a main course, and even a dessert. It's always delicious.


SK Tarek
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I love to experiment with different toppings for my polenta. Some of my favorites include sautéed mushrooms, roasted tomatoes, and crumbled bacon.


Sachelle Ingram
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I added some chopped vegetables to my polenta, such as bell peppers, onions, and zucchini. It was a great way to make the dish even more flavorful and nutritious.


Blkberry kizz
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I've made this polenta several times now, and it's always a hit. My friends and family love it.


Ahmad Arsalan
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This polenta is the perfect comfort food. It's warm, creamy, and filling. I love to eat it on a cold winter night.


Becky Ifoghor
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I was pleasantly surprised at how easy this polenta was to make. I'm not a very experienced cook, but I was able to follow the instructions and make a delicious dish.


abdul 13785
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I love that this recipe uses fresh cornmeal. It gives the polenta a much more flavorful than using pre-packaged cornmeal.


Dallas Osteen
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This polenta was a great side dish for my Italian feast. It was creamy and cheesy, and the perfect accompaniment to the chicken parmesan and pasta.


Robert Lungu
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I was skeptical about making polenta at home, but this recipe made it so easy. I followed the instructions exactly and it came out delicious. I'll definitely be making this again.


Shaiza Rani
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I've tried many polenta recipes over the years, but this one is definitely my favorite. It's so easy to make and always turns out perfectly.


Rita Chiagorom
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This polenta recipe is a keeper! It turned out creamy and flavorful, with a perfect texture. I served it with a simple tomato sauce and Parmesan cheese, and it was a hit with my family.