I’ve lived in the south most of my life and we eat grits all the time, so I thought I knew what polenta was all about. But let me just tell you, this Creamy Polenta is on a whole other level. from the instant grits I was used to. While both grits and polenta are made with cornmeal, this Creamy Polenta has a rich texture, deep corn flavor, and super creamy consistency. I think Marsha’s exact words when we tested it in the studio were, “I think I’m in love…” Same, girl, same. I’m going to be making this polenta to serve with every stew, saucy bean dish, or braised meat from on out.
What is Polenta?
Polenta is a cornmeal mush made by boiling cornmeal until it’s tender. It can be served like a porridge or chilled until firm, sliced, and pan-fried for a crispier texture. While similar to grits, another type of cornmeal mush, polenta and grits are made with different varieties of corn. Polenta is made with flint corn, which has a more dense and chewy texture that holds up better to boiling than dent corn, which is used for grits. Grits are generally more finely milled, except stone ground grits, which are closer in texture to polenta. I find that polenta has a much better mouthfeel (less gloopy) and a stronger corn flavor. It’s absolutely delicious!
How to Serve Polenta
Polenta is often served as the starchy base for a meal, similar to how rice is served as the bed for saucy dishes and stir-fries. Polenta pairs extremely well with stews, braised meats, saucy bean dishes, and roasted vegetables. It’s the perfect cozy companion to all of your warm winter meals. Try it with our Chicken Cacciatore, or Slow Cooker Beef Stew!
How to Store Leftovers
Leftover cooked polenta can be stored in the refrigerator for about four days. But, as with most starches, polenta will firm up when chilled. The best way to make use of chilled cooked polenta is to slice it and then pan-fry it into crispy cakes. These crispy polenta pieces are perfect for dipping in your favorite sauce, or serving as a side with dinner. If you prefer to serve the chilled polenta as a porridge, you’ll need to add more liquid (broth, water, or milk) and heat gently while stirring until it loosens up.
Recipe by Cook Good Recipes
This creamy polenta has a rich flavor, creamy texture, and deep corn flavor. It’s the perfect base for stews, saucy beans, and braised meats.
Servings: 4 (1.25 cups each)
Prep time: 5 minutes
Cook time: 10 minutes
Total time: 15 minutes
Ingredients
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Instructions
- Add the chicken broth to a pot and bring it to a boil over medium-high heat.
- Once the broth is boiling, whisk in the polenta. Turn the heat down to medium-low and let the polenta simmer, stirring often, for about five minutes or until it has thickened.
- Turn the heat off and add the butter and Parmesan. Stir the butter and Parmesan into the polenta until fully melted. Taste the polenta and adjust the salt or butter as desired. Serve immediately.
Nutrition
Serving: 1cup Calories: 288kcal Carbohydrates: 33g Protein: 7g Fat: 14g Sodium: 1072mg Fiber: 1g
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How to Make Polenta – Step by Step Photos
You’ll need one cup of uncooked polenta for this recipe. It should look like this, coarsely ground cornmeal.
Add four cups of good chicken broth to a sauce pot and bring it to a boil over medium-high heat.
Once the broth is boiling, turn the heat down to medium-low and whisk in the polenta. Let the polenta simmer over medium-low, whisking often, for about five minutes or until it has thickened.
Remove the polenta from the heat, add 4 tablespoons of salted butter and ¼ cup of grated Parmesan, and stir until they have fully melted in.
The polenta should now be super thick and creamy. Give the polenta a taste and adjust the salt if needed. Our chicken broth had plenty of salt, so no more was needed, but it will definitely depend on the type of broth used.
Serve the creamy polenta immediately while it is still warm and soft. You can add some freshly cracked pepper on top and a little extra butter or Parmesan, if desired.
Recipe by Cook Good Recipes
