Polenta is a typical dish of northern Italy, prepared using flour, obtained by drying and grinding white or yellow corn. Thanks to its versatile and slightly earthy flavor, it is gaining popularity around the world. Learn to cook polenta, then experiment with three variations: fried polenta, baked polenta, and polenta with cheese.
Steps
Method 1 of 4: Simple Cooked Polenta
Step 1. Prepare the ingredients
Here is what you will need to prepare some simple cooked polenta:
- 240 g of polenta flour
- 720 ml of water
- Half a teaspoon of salt
Step 2. Put the water in a large pot
Bring it to a boil and add the salt.
Step 3. Reduce the heat to a medium-low setting
Step 4. Add a third of the flour to the pot
Use a wooden spoon to mix it. After about two minutes, the polenta will begin to thicken as it absorbs the water.
Step 5. Add the remaining flour to the pot
Continue stirring with the spoon for about 10 minutes.
Step 6. The polenta will be ready when it has reached a creamy consistency
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Do not overcook the polenta otherwise the corn grains will tend to flake.
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Taste the polenta to check its consistency. Decide if you want it creamier, or grainier, and remove it from the heat at the appropriate time.
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You can serve polenta with many preparations: vegetables, braised meats, roasts, fish, cheeses; there are no limits to the possible combinations.
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Method 2 of 4: Fried Polenta
Step 1. Prepare the ingredients
Here's what you'll need to make some fried polenta:
- 500 g of cooked polenta
- 200 ml of olive oil
- 50 g of grated Parmesan cheese
- Salt and pepper
Step 2. Prepare the polenta following the basic recipe
Boil the water and add the salt, lower the heat and pour in a third of the flour until it thickens, then pour and mix the remaining flour until the polenta becomes creamy.
Step 3. Pour the polenta into a lightly greased baking sheet
The size of the pan will determine the thickness of the fried polenta slices. If you want thinner slices, use a larger pan, for thicker slices, a smaller one will suffice.
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Use a spatula to spread the polenta evenly into the pan.
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Cover the pan with a lid or aluminum foil.
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Step 4. Place the pan in the refrigerator
Let the polenta cool until it becomes compact. Check the polenta after about two hours. If it's still soft and warm, let it cool for another half hour.
Step 5. Cut the polenta into slices
Each slice should be approximately 5cm x 5cm, the size of a serving.
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You can cut the slices into squares, rectangles or triangles, as long as they are the size of a portion.
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Step 6. Take a cast iron or deep-bottomed skillet and place it over medium heat
Pour the oil into the pan and heat it without letting it reach the smoke point.
Step 7. Put the polenta slices in the pan
Cook them until the first side is browned, about 3 minutes. Rotate them and turn them on the other as well.
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Make sure that the oil has reached the proper temperature before putting the polenta in the pan. Otherwise, the slices may break before browning and crunchy.
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If you wish you can grill the polenta instead of frying it, prepare the slices in the same way and then cook them on a hot grill, or on the plate of your hob.
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Step 8. Place the fried polenta slices on a plate with paper towels
Season with grated Parmesan cheese and with salt and pepper to your taste.
Method 3 of 4: Baked Polenta
Step 1. Prepare the ingredients
Here's what you'll need to make baked polenta:
- 500 g of cooked polenta
- Olive oil
- 100 g of butter
- Half a teaspoon of thyme
- Salt and pepper
Step 2. Prepare the polenta following the basic recipe
Boil the water and add the salt, lower the heat and pour in a third of the flour until it thickens, then pour and mix the remaining flour until the polenta becomes creamy. Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
Step 3. Stir the butter into the polenta
Break it up with a wooden spoon and mix until it melts and mixes completely with the polenta. Add the thyme and season with salt and pepper to your taste.
Step 4. Pour the polenta into a lightly greased baking sheet
The size of the pan will determine the thickness of the fried polenta slices. If you want thinner slices, use a larger pan, for thicker slices, a smaller one will suffice.
Step 5. Place the container in the oven
Cook for 20 minutes, or until the polenta becomes compact. It will not turn brown or golden.
Step 6. Remove the pan from the oven
Let the polenta cool for a few minutes, then cut it into slices to serve.
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Try using cake molds to get some nice polenta 'biscuits'.
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Accompany the polenta with a tomato or meat sauce.
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Method 4 of 4: Cheese Polenta
Step 1. Prepare the ingredients
Here's what you'll need to make some cheese polenta:
- 500 g of cooked polenta
- 200 g of grated cheese (Parmesan or a cheese of your choice)
- 1 cup of whole milk
- 100 g of butter
- 2 tablespoons of chopped parsley
- Salt and pepper
Step 2. Prepare the polenta following the basic recipe
Boil the water and add the salt, lower the heat and pour in a third of the flour until it thickens, then pour and mix the remaining flour until the polenta becomes creamy.
Step 3. Mix the butter and cheese
Use a wooden spoon until the butter and cheese are completely melted.
Step 4. Mix the milk, parsley and spices
Step 5. Put the polenta in a bowl and serve it hot
Advice
- You can replace white or yellow cornmeal with polenta mix.
- In Eastern European countries, polenta is traditionally served accompanied by sour cream and feta, although it is a food that goes well with any preparation.
