**A Creamy Delight: Embark on a Culinary Journey with Soft Parmigiano Polenta**
Indulge in the creamy goodness of polenta, an Italian dish with a rich history and diverse variations. Originating from the northern regions of Italy, polenta is a versatile dish that showcases the finest ingredients of the region. Made from coarsely ground cornmeal, polenta transforms into a smooth and flavorful porridge when cooked. The addition of Parmigiano cheese elevates this dish to new heights, creating a velvety texture and a burst of umami flavor. This article presents a collection of soft Parmigiano polenta recipes that cater to various tastes and preferences. Whether you seek a classic rendition or a modern interpretation, these recipes offer a delightful culinary experience.
POLENTA PARMIGIANA
"This warm, Italian-flavored appetizer also makes a quick, filling lunch. I prefer this veggie version, but my kids like to add pepperoni or sausage to create mini pizzas." -Carolyn Kumpe, El Dorado, California
Provided by Taste of Home
Categories Appetizers
Time 30m
Yield 16 appetizers.
Number Of Ingredients 8
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 425°. Place polenta in a greased 15x10x1-in. baking pan; brush with olive oil. Bake until edges are golden brown, 15-20 minutes., Spoon pasta sauce over polenta slices. Top each with a mozzarella cheese slice; sprinkle with Parmesan cheese, salt and pepper. Bake until cheese is melted, 3-5 minutes longer. Garnish with basil if desired.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 108 calories, Fat 7g fat (3g saturated fat), Cholesterol 12mg cholesterol, Sodium 273mg sodium, Carbohydrate 7g carbohydrate (2g sugars, Fiber 1g fiber), Protein 4g protein.
SOFT POLENTA
This is the "traditional method" based on a recipe by Michele Anna Jordan from her book, Polenta. She says, "This is the classic and most common technique for cooking polenta, and the one that should be used for larger quantities. The amounts can easily be increased to make larger quantities for a crowd." This recipe can also be used as the first step in making firm polenta.
Provided by mersaydees
Categories European
Time 1h15m
Yield 4-6 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 6
Steps:
- Bring 3 cups water to a full boil in a heavy pot. Simmer the remaining water close by.
- Add the salt and rapidly stir the water with a whisk, creating a vortex. Continuing to stir constantly, add the polenta in a thin stream into the vortex.
- Continue to stir after all the polenta has been added, then lower the heat to a simmer rather than a boil.
- As the polenta thickens, replace the whisk with a long-handled wooden spoon.
- Add the 1 cup of remaining water and continue to stir. Break up any lumps with the back of the spoon pressed against the pot.
- Continue stirring the polenta, reaching to the bottom of the pot as necessary, until it gets thick and pulls away from the sides of the pot.
- Taste the polenta to test tenderness; add additional water if necessary. The polenta can take 15 to 60 minutes to cook properly, depending on its type.
- During the last 5 minutes of cooking, stir in the pepper and butter, then add the cheese.
- Remove from heat.
- If serving immediately, pour onto a large platter or into a bowl or individual dishes.
SOFT PARMESAN POLENTA
Steps:
- In a medium-size saucepan, bring the milk, 2 cups water and bay leaf to a boil. Season generously with salt, almost to the point of over seasoning. How do you know that you are there? TASTE IT! When it has reached a boil, slowly whisk in the polenta in small sprinkles. Once all of the polenta has been incorporated, reduce the heat to medium and immediately switch over to stirring with a wooden spoon. Cook the polenta until it begins to pull away from the pan, adding water to loosen it up if it becomes too thick.
- When the polenta is thoroughly cooked, it should look creamy and not feel gritty on your tongue. Remove it from the heat and stir in the Parmesan and mascarpone.
SOFT POLENTA WITH PARMESAN AND BLACK PEPPER
Yield serves 6
Number Of Ingredients 7
Steps:
- In a large pot, bring the chicken stock and salt to a boil. Gradually whisk in the cornmeal in a slow, steady stream. The liquid will be absorbed and the cornmeal will lock up; don't freak, just whisk through it. Lower the heat and continue to whisk until the polenta is thick and smooth, about 20 minutes. Add the cream and butter; continue to stir until incorporated, about 10 minutes. Remove from the heat, fold in the Parmigiano and black pepper, and serve.
Tips:
- For a creamy polenta, use whole milk or half-and-half instead of water.
- If you don't have a food processor, you can grate the Parmesan cheese by hand. Just be sure to grate it finely so that it melts evenly into the polenta.
- Polenta can be served hot or cold. If you're serving it cold, let it cool completely before slicing and serving.
- Polenta is a great base for many different dishes. You can top it with your favorite sauce, vegetables, or meat.
- Polenta is also a good source of fiber and protein. It's a hearty and satisfying dish that can be enjoyed by people of all ages.
Conclusion:
Polenta is a versatile and delicious dish that can be enjoyed in many different ways. Whether you're serving it hot or cold, as a main course or a side dish, polenta is sure to please everyone at your table. So next time you're looking for a new and exciting dish to try, give polenta a try. You won't be disappointed!
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