Best 5 Easy Polenta For Two Recipes
Polenta, a versatile dish originating from Northern Italy, is a delectable porridge made from coarsely ground cornmeal. Its culinary journey dates back centuries, with evidence of its existence in ancient Roman times. Today, polenta continues to be a beloved dish, cherished for its creamy texture, nutty flavor, and endless culinary possibilities. Our article presents a collection of easy and flavorful polenta recipes for two, catering to various dietary preferences and taste buds. From a classic polenta with butter and Parmesan cheese to a hearty rendition featuring mushrooms and sausage, these recipes showcase the versatility of this humble ingredient. Additionally, we offer a vegan polenta variation for those seeking a plant-based option, infused with the vibrant flavors of roasted red peppers. Whether you're a seasoned polenta enthusiast or a curious culinary explorer, these recipes promise a delightful journey into the world of this timeless dish.
Here are our top 5 tried and tested recipes!
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
BASIC POLENTA
Dinner is easy with Giada De Laurentiis' Basic Polenta recipe from Everyday Italian on Food Network; it's the perfect cornmeal canvas for your favorite mains.
Provided by Giada De Laurentiis
Categories side-dish
Time 30m
Yield 6 servings
Number Of Ingredients 4
Steps:
- Bring 6 cups of 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. Turn off the heat. Add the butter, and stir until melted.
EASY CREAMY POLENTA
Provided by Martha Stewart
Categories Food & Cooking Dinner Recipes Dinner Side Dishes
Number Of Ingredients 5
Steps:
- In a large, deep saucepan, bring 5 cups of water to a boil. While whisking constantly, add polenta in a slow, steady stream. Reduce heat to medium, cook until thickened, stirring occasionally with a wooden spoon, about 15 minutes. Remove pan from heat and stir in cheese, heavy cream, and butter. Season with salt and pepper.
MICROWAVE POLENTA FOR TWO
This recipe is so fast and easy you can serve polenta as a side dish any time. When it is done cooking, you can swirl in one or more additional flavor builders such as a tablespoon of butter, a tablespoon or two of parmesan cheese, chopped chives, fresh-ground pepper, or a tablespoon or two of half-and-half. This makes two generous servings with no leftovers.
Provided by Heirloom Tomato
Categories Low Protein
Time 13m
Yield 2 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 3
Steps:
- Place polenta, water and salt in a 2-quart bowl.
- Microwave on high for eight minutes, then stir.
- If the polenta is not thick enough, return to microwave for two more minutes.
- Add flavoring ingredients to suit you and your meal, such as butter, grated parmesan, pepper, fresh chives, and a little cream.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 110.4, Fat 1.1, SaturatedFat 0.1, Sodium 308.5, Carbohydrate 23.4, Fiber 2.2, Sugar 0.2, Protein 2.5
CREAMY POLENTA FOR 2
Super creamy, tasty polenta, made especially for 2 people. As far as creamy polenta goes, this recipe is pretty fool-proof. Starting the liquids off cold prevents clumps from forming. I've been using this recipe now for a while and it's pretty forgiving. Cheers!
Provided by Steph KP
Categories European
Time 30m
Yield 2 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 7
Steps:
- Pour chicken stock, fat free milk and coarse ground corn into a cold pot.
- Turn burner on Medium/Medium-High.
- Bring contents of pot to a simmer.
- Simmer until contents are no longer "wet" - corn has absorbed most of the liquid.
- Turn burner off and add cheddar cheese, cream cheese, salt and pepper; whisk to combine.
- Serve warm.
Tips:
- Use fresh ingredients: Fresh polenta is best, so try to find it at your local grocery store or farmers market. If you can't find fresh polenta, you can use dried polenta, but be sure to soak it in water for at least 30 minutes before cooking.
- Cook the polenta slowly: Polenta takes time to cook, so don't rush the process. Bring the polenta to a simmer and then reduce the heat to low. Stir the polenta frequently to prevent it from sticking to the bottom of the pot.
- Season the polenta to taste: Polenta is a blank canvas, so you can season it with whatever you like. Try adding salt, pepper, garlic, herbs, or cheese. You can also add cooked vegetables, meat, or seafood to your polenta.
- Serve the polenta hot: Polenta is best served hot, so make sure to eat it as soon as it's cooked. You can also reheat polenta in the microwave or on the stovetop.
Conclusion:
Polenta is a delicious and versatile dish that can be enjoyed for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. It's easy to make and can be customized to your liking. So next time you're looking for a new dish to try, give polenta a try. You won't be disappointed!
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