Indulge in the culinary delight of polenta, a delectable dish with a rich history and versatile flavors. Originating in Northern Italy, polenta is a porridge made from cornmeal that has captivated taste buds for centuries. Its humble beginnings as a peasant food have evolved into a sophisticated dish enjoyed by people worldwide. Our collection of recipes introduces you to the diverse culinary expressions of polenta, ranging from classic Italian preparations to modern interpretations that showcase its versatility. Explore traditional recipes like Creamy Polenta with Mushrooms and Parmesan, where the earthy flavors of mushrooms and the nutty richness of Parmesan elevate the dish to a hearty and comforting meal. For a taste of innovation, try the Baked Polenta with Roasted Vegetables and Feta, where colorful roasted vegetables and tangy feta add a vibrant twist to the classic recipe. If you seek a quick and easy option, the 5-Ingredient Polenta with Marinara Sauce offers a fuss-free yet flavorful experience. And for those with a sweet tooth, the Polenta Cake with Berry Compote combines the comforting texture of polenta with the delightful sweetness of berries, making it a delightful dessert or teatime treat. Embark on a culinary journey with our curated polenta recipes, each offering a unique taste experience that celebrates the versatility and deliciousness of this ancient grain transformed into a modern delicacy.
Let's cook with our recipes!
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
SAVORY POLENTA
For a simple side dish, try Alton Brown's Savory Polenta recipe from Good Eats on Food Network; minced garlic and grated Parmesan add real savory depth.
Provided by Alton Brown
Categories side-dish
Time 1h
Yield 4 to 6 servings
Number Of Ingredients 9
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
- In a large, oven-safe saucepan heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the red onion and salt and sweat until the onions begin to turn translucent, approximately 4 to 5 minutes. Reduce the heat to low, add the garlic, and saute for 1 to 2 minutes, making sure the garlic does not burn.
- Turn the heat up to high, add the chicken stock, bring to a boil. Gradually add the cornmeal while continually whisking. Once you have added all of the cornmeal, cover the pot and place it in the oven. Cook for 35 to 40 minutes, stirring every
- 10 minutes to prevent lumps. Once the mixture is creamy, remove from the oven and add the butter, salt, and pepper. Once they are incorporated, gradually add the Parmesan.
- Serve as is, or pour the polenta into 9 by 13-inch cake pan lined with parchment paper. Place in the refrigerator to cool completely.
- Once set, turn the polenta out onto a cutting board and cut into squares, rounds, or triangles. Brush each side with olive oil and saute in a nonstick skillet over medium heat, or grill.
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
POLENTA
For those who have sworn off mashed potatoes because of the carbohydrates and fats, and for those who cannot eat wheat and so have said good-bye to pasta, polenta may be just the thing. Polenta is a delicious gruel, an elegant mush made by cooking cornmeal (or occasionally semolina or buckwheat) in salted water. From humble origins, polenta now appears on the fanciest restaurant menus, usually served as an accompaniment to meat and fish. But it can be a main event. It can be served hot and runny from the pot, or else sliced, grilled, pan-seared or gratinéed. And polenta can be topped with any number of sauces or vegetable ragouts.
Provided by Martha Rose Shulman
Categories easy, side dish
Time 1h30m
Yield Serves 4
Number Of Ingredients 8
Steps:
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Combine the polenta, water and salt in a 2-quart baking dish. Stir together, and place in the oven. Bake 50 minutes. Remove from the oven, and stir in the butter. Use a fork or a spatula to stir the polenta well, and return to the oven for 10 minutes. Remove from the oven, and stir again. Carefully taste a little bit of the polenta; if the grains are not completely soft, return to the oven for 10 minutes. Serve right away for soft polenta, or let sit five minutes for a stiffer polenta. Spoon onto a plate. Make a depression in the middle, and serve with the topping of your choice or plain, as a side dish. Alternatively, for grilling or use in another recipe, allow to chill and stiffen in the baking dish, or scrape into a lightly oiled or buttered bread pan and chill.
- Combine the polenta, salt and water in a 2 1/2- to 3-quart microwave-safe bowl, and stir together. Cover the bowl with a plate, and place in the microwave. Microwave on high for eight minutes. Remove from the microwave carefully, wearing oven mitts, as the bowl will be quite hot. Carefully remove the plate from the top, and allow the steam to escape. Stir in the butter, and mix well with a fork. Cover the bowl again with the plate and return to the microwave. Microwave on high for three minutes. Again, remove from the microwave carefully, wearing oven mitts. Carefully remove the plate from the top, and allow the steam to escape. Stir the polenta, and return to the microwave for three more minutes. Carefully remove from the microwave. Stir and serve, or pour into a lightly buttered bread pan and allow to cool, then slice and grill or sear in a lightly oiled pan.
Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 305, UnsaturatedFat 3 grams, Carbohydrate 55 grams, Fat 7 grams, Fiber 3 grams, Protein 5 grams, SaturatedFat 4 grams, Sodium 1040 milligrams, Sugar 1 gram, TransFat 0 grams
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
ENRICO'S EASY POLENTA
This easy recipe was on the back of a polenta bag. It seemed easy, and I loved that it was baked in the oven and not something I had to check constantly. I had this with regular, hot stewed tomatoes that I served along side. What a hearty meal! This would be a great side to almost any meat or vegetable dish. The recipe didn't call for garlic, but I added some garlic powder to mine. Oh, so tasty!
Provided by VickyJ
Categories Low Protein
Time 1h5m
Yield 6 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 5
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 350°F.
- Place ingredients in buttered 8-inch square pan.
- Stir with fork until blended.
- Bake uncovered for 50 minutes.
- Run fork through it and bake 10 more minutes.
- Serve with butter and Parmesan cheese, or with your favorite tomato, meal or vegetable sauce.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 90.6, Fat 2.6, SaturatedFat 1.3, Cholesterol 5.1, Sodium 415.4, Carbohydrate 15.6, Fiber 1.5, Sugar 0.1, Protein 1.7
Tips:
- Use fresh ingredients: Fresh polenta will have a better flavor and texture than pre-cooked polenta.
- Season the polenta well: Polenta is a blank canvas, so be generous with your seasonings. Salt, pepper, garlic, and Parmesan cheese are all great options.
- Cook the polenta until it is creamy: Polenta should be cooked until it is creamy and tender, but not mushy. This will take about 30 minutes.
- Let the polenta rest before serving: Polenta will continue to thicken as it cools, so let it rest for a few minutes before serving. This will make it easier to slice and serve.
- Serve polenta with your favorite toppings: Polenta is a versatile dish that can be served with a variety of toppings. Some popular options include tomato sauce, pesto, grilled vegetables, and roasted chicken.
Conclusion:
Polenta is a delicious and easy-to-make dish that is perfect for any occasion. With its creamy texture and mild flavor, polenta is a great canvas for a variety of toppings and sauces. Whether you are serving it as a main course or a side dish, polenta is sure to be a hit.
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