Best 7 No Stir Polenta Recipes

NO-STIR POLENTA

Steps:

• Bring the water to a boil in a large, heavy pot.
• Add the salt; then add the cornmeal in a very thin stream, letting it run through a closed fist. Stir constantly with a whisk while adding.
• When all the cornmeal has been added, stir with a wooden spoon 2 minutes, and then cover pot. Adjust heat so the water is at a lively simmer. After 10 minutes, stir 1 minute; then cover pot again. Repeat three more times. Let polenta cook 5 minutes longer, for a total of 45 minutes.
• Stir vigorously for another minute. Transfer to a moistened bowl (rinsed but not dried), and let polenta rest 10 to 15 minutes. Unmold onto a platter and serve at once, or let it cool to use in other recipes.

NO-STIR OVEN POLENTA

Steps:

• Mix everything in a shallow pan which is ovenproof.
• Put it in a 350 degree oven.
• After about 40 minutes, give it a stir and see if it's done.
• If not, cook another few minutes.
• You can add less or more liquid, depending upon whether you like the polenta soft or more solid.

BASIC POLENTA

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.

"NO-STIR" POLENTA

Steps:

• In a heavy saucepan bring water and salt to a boil and gradually whisk in cornmeal in a thin stream. Cook polenta over moderately low heat, stirring, 2 minutes and cover pan. Cook polenta, covered, stirring for 1 minute after every 10 minutes of cooking, 45 minutes. Remove pan from heat and cover to keep warm. Stir polenta just before using. Polenta will keep warm, covered, about 20 minutes.

RICE COOKER POLENTA (AKA NO STIR POLENTA)

Steps:

• Place the ingredients into your rice cooker and cook on the white rice setting until done.
• Add cheese or other ingredients just before serving.

POLENTA CREAMY GOOD AND ALMOST NO STIR

Steps:

• Bring water to boil in a heavy bottom 4 quart pan over medium high heat.
• Stir in salt, and baking soda. Slowly pour cornmeal into the water in a steady stream stirring with a wooden spoon.
• Bring to a boil stirring consistently for 1 minute.
• Reduce to the very lowest heat possible and cover.
• After 5 minutes whisk polenta to smooth out any lumps for 15 seconds,scraping down sides and bottom of pan. Cover and continue to cook without stirring until grains are tender but slightly al dente. About 25 minutes.
• Remove from heat and stir in butter and cheese.
• Stir in scallions and chipotle if using.

HOW TO MAKE PERFECT POLENTA

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.