Best 4 How To Make Perfect Polenta Recipes

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BASIC POLENTA



Basic Polenta image

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

6 cups water
2 teaspoons salt
1 3/4 cups yellow cornmeal
3 tablespoons unsalted butter

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.

HOW TO MAKE PERFECT POLENTA



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

BASIC POLENTA



Basic Polenta image

Polenta is basically cornmeal mush, and it can be made with any kind of cornmeal, ground coarse, medium or fine. (You don't need bags marked "polenta.") As with most ingredients, though, the better the cornmeal you start with, the better your result in the kitchen. The trick is cooking the polenta for a sufficient amount of time. You must allow the cornmeal to swell and become fully cooked. That way, you emphasize the sweet corn flavor and don't end up with something bitter and lame. Yes, it takes a long time. But it's worth it - and you can fry the leftovers tomorrow night in a snap.

Provided by David Tanis

Categories     easy

Time 1h

Yield 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 4

Salt and pepper
1 cup medium or fine cornmeal
Butter
Parmesan for soft polenta, optional

Steps:

  • For firm polenta use 4 cups water; for soft polenta use 5 cups water. Bring water to a boil in a medium-size heavy sauce pan over high heat. Add 1 teaspoon salt. Pour cornmeal slowly into water, stirring with a wire whisk or wooden spoon. Continue stirring as mixture thickens, 2 to 3 minutes.
  • Turn heat to low. Cook for at least 45 minutes, stirring every 10 minutes or so. If polenta becomes quite thick, thin it with 1/2 cup water, stir well and continue cooking. Add up to 1 cup more water as necessary, to keep polenta soft enough to stir. Put a spoonful on a plate, let it cool, then taste. Grains should be swollen and taste cooked, not raw. Adjust salt and add pepper if you wish.
  • For firm polenta, lightly butter a baking sheet or shallow dish, approximately 8 1/2 by 11 inches. Carefully pour polenta into pan. Using a spatula, spread polenta to a thickness of 3/4 inch. Cool to room temperature to allow polenta to solidify. Cover and refrigerate for up to 3 days. For soft polenta, add 6 tablespoons butter to pot and stir well. Serve immediately or transfer to a double boiler set over low heat, cover and keep warm for up to an hour or so. (Or set the saucepan in a pot of barely simmering water.) Stir well before spooning into low soup bowls. Sprinkle with Parmesan, if desired.

Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 100, UnsaturatedFat 0 grams, Carbohydrate 21 grams, Fat 1 gram, Fiber 1 gram, Protein 2 grams, SaturatedFat 0 grams, Sodium 62 milligrams, Sugar 0 grams, TransFat 0 grams

PERFECT SOFT POLENTA



Perfect Soft Polenta image

Provided by Michael Symon : Food Network

Categories     side-dish

Time 2h15m

Yield 4 to 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 7

6 tablespoons unsalted butter
4 cups chicken stock or water
Kosher salt and freshly cracked black pepper
2 cups coarse polenta (not quick-cooking)
1/4 cup mascarpone
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for serving
Extra-virgin olive oil

Steps:

  • In a 4-quart saucepan, melt 4 tablespoons of the butter over medium heat. Add the stock and bring to a simmer. Season with salt and pepper.
  • Slowly whisk in the polenta. Reduce the heat to low and cook, stirring frequently, until the polenta is hydrated, about 2 hours.
  • Remove from the heat and whisk in the mascarpone, Parmesan and remaining 2 tablespoons butter. Season to taste with salt and pepper and serve topped with a drizzle of olive oil and more Parmesan, if desired.

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