4 ways to cook polenta

Polenta is made from dried yellow or white corn and made into semolina. Originally, polenta came from Italy, but its delicious taste and versatility have made it popular all over the world in recent years. Learn the basic polenta recipe then experiment with three variations: Fried Polenta, Baked Polenta, and Cheese Polenta.

Ingredients

Prepare a simple polenta

• 160 g of polenta semolina
• 700 ml of water
• A pinch of salt

Make a fried polenta

• 320 g of polenta cooked with the basic recipe
• 220 ml olive oil
• 50 g grated Parmesan
• Salt and pepper

Cooking a polenta in the oven

• 320 g of polenta cooked with the basic recipe
• Olive oil
• 110 g butter
• Half a teaspoon of thyme
• Salt and pepper

Prepare a cheese polenta

• 320 g of polenta cooked with the basic recipe
• 100 g of grated cheese of your choice (Gruyère, Parmesan, etc.)
• 230 ml whole milk
• 110 g butter
• Two tablespoons of chopped parsley
• Salt and pepper

Steps

Method 1 of 4: Make a simple polenta

Step 1. Gather the ingredients

This recipe will allow you to prepare a dish for about four people.

Step 2. Pour the water into a large saucepan

Boil and add salt.

Step 3. Set the heat to medium low

Step 4. Sprinkle a third of the polenta in the saucepan

Mix with a wooden spoon. The polenta and water should have formed a paste after about two minutes.

Step 5. Add the rest

Continue to stir with the spoon for about ten minutes.

Step 6. The polenta is ready when its texture has become creamy

• Do not overcook it or it will turn to mush.

  

• Taste it to find out if you like it more or less creamy. Stop cooking when it has reached the desired consistency.

  

• Serve it with vegetables, a stew, meat or fish, let your imagination run wild.

  

Method 2 of 4: Make a fried polenta

Step 1. Gather all the ingredients

This recipe is intended to make a polenta for three to four people.

Step 2. Cook it according to the basic recipe

Boil the water, add the salt and then lower the heat. Then add a third of the polenta to form a paste, then mix with the rest of the polenta and cook until creamy.

Step 3. Spread it out in a buttered baking dish

The thickness of your fried polenta will depend on the size of the dish. If you want it thin, use a large dish, if you want it thicker, take a small dish.

• Use a spatula to spread it evenly across the dish.

  

• Cover the dish with its lid or foil.

  

Step 4. Place the dish in the refrigerator

Let cool until the polenta is firm. Test the polenta after two hours to see if it is firm enough. If it's still warm and soft, refrigerate it for another half hour.

Step 5. Cut it into slices

Each slice should be approximately 5 x 5 cm, the size of one serving.

• The slices can be square, rectangular or triangular as long as they are the size of a serving.

  

Step 6. Place a cast iron skillet over high heat

Pour the oil in and heat until the oil is about to smoke.

Step 7. Carefully place the polenta slices in the pan

Cook them until the first side is golden, about three minutes. Turn them over and brown the other side.

• Make sure the oil is hot enough before placing the polenta in it. If this is not the case, it may crumble before browning.

  

• If you prefer to grill the polenta rather than fry it, place the slices on an electric grill or on your stove top at this time.

  

Step 8. Place the toasted slices on a paper towel on a plate

Sprinkle with Parmesan and season with salt and pepper.

Method 3 of 4: Bake polenta in the oven

Step 1. Collect the ingredients

This dish is suitable for 4 people depending on their appetite.

Step 2. Cook it according to the basic recipe

Boil the water, add the salt and then lower the heat. Then add a third of the polenta to form a paste, then mix with the rest of the polenta and cook until creamy. Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 180 ° C.

Step 3. Add the butter to the polenta

Use a wooden spoon to stir in the butter, it should be fully mixed and melted. Add the thyme, season with salt and pepper and mix.

Step 4. Spread the polenta in a buttered baking dish

Its thickness will depend on the size of the dish. If you want it thin, use a large dish, if you want it thicker, take a small dish.

Step 5. Place the dish in the oven

Cook for twenty minutes or until the polenta is cooked. It will not brown or brown.

Step 6. Remove the pan from the oven

Let cool for a few minutes then cut into slices to serve.

• You can use cookie cutters to make fun shapes.

  

• Serve with a marinera sauce for a little taste of Italy.

  

Method 4 of 4: Make cheese polenta

Step 1. Group the ingredients

Step 2. Cook the polenta according to the basic recipe

Boil the water, add the salt and then lower the heat. Then add a third of the polenta to form a paste, then mix with the rest of the polenta and cook until creamy.

Step 3. Add the butter and cheese

Use a wooden spoon to mix the butter and cheese well until melted.

Step 4. Add the milk, parsley and spices

Step 5. Pour it into a bowl and serve hot

Advice

• The traditional way to serve polenta in Eastern Europe is to pair it with sour cream and light feta, but it goes with everything!
• Yellow or white corn flour can be replaced with semolina marked polenta.