Creamy Oven-Baked Polenta Recipe | Alexandra's Kitchen (2024)

FAQs

Should polenta be soaked before cooking? ›

A ratio of five parts liquid to one part cornmeal by volume produces polenta that's fully hydrated and cooked through, without any little raw, gritty bits. An optional presoaking step helps hydrate the cornmeal and cuts down on actual cooking time.

For the liquid you can use water, milk, broth or any combination of those. In my example here I chose to use 2 cups of water, 2 cups of milk and 1 cup of polenta. I opted for half water and half milk because, for me, that is the perfect level of creamy richness. Feel free to play around with how much water vs.

Cooked veggies are the perfect way to add hearty texture, richness, and flavor to creamy polenta. Try pairing it with roasted broccoli, Brussels sprouts, tomatoes, butternut squash, or cauliflower, with grilled mixed vegetables or zucchini, or with sautéed mushrooms.

In a large, deep saucepan, bring 5 cups of water to a boil. While whisking constantly, add polenta in a slow, steady stream. Reduce heat to medium, cook until thickened, stirring occasionally with a wooden spoon, about 15 minutes. Remove pan from heat and stir in cheese, heavy cream, and butter.

Polenta, yellow and white, is one of the Veneto's classic foods, included in many traditional dishes such as baccalá alla vicentina, with creamy dried cod simmered in milk; seppie al nero alla veneziana, with black cuttlefish; and fegato alla veneziana, slices of crispy fried polenta served with liver and onions.

The top of the polenta might seem a bit hardened when you uncover it, but never fear. Adding the fat (in this case, Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese and unsalted butter) and a little vigorous whisking will produce the creamy results you expect.

Surprisingly, the creamiest polenta comes from the coarsest cornmeal. And the less you stir it, the better.

Yes, you can overcook polenta but the good news is that it is easy to correct. You can adjust the texture again with more liquid until your ratio is perfect. Just remember to taste it before serving since with the addition of more liquid, it may have lost its flavor.

Yes, both grits and polenta are made from ground corn, but the main difference here is what type of corn. Polenta, as you can probably guess from the color, is made from yellow corn, while grits are normally made from white corn (or hominy).

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.

How many people does one cup of polenta feed? ›

So, I use 4 cups of water, 1 cup of polenta, and 1 cup of milk here to make about four servings (or dinner for two plus enough for leftovers with a poached egg for breakfast the next morning.)

Creamy polenta, enriched with a little butter and Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese, is one of my favorite Italian comfort foods. A blend of medium and finely ground cornmeal creates the best texture. I love to top it with shrimp, mushroom ragu, or serve it alongside roast chicken.

Cover the pot and let the polenta cook while you go about making the rest of dinner. Every 10 minutes or so, uncover the pot and give it a good stir to make sure it's cooking evenly and the sides aren't drying out. Thirty to forty minutes later, your polenta is ready for the table.

Spoon steamed or cooked veggies over hot polenta. Add cheese, herbs or other favorite seasonings. Top polenta with your favorite pasta sauce. Add sautéed greens and protein of choice including meats, cheese, lentils and legumes.

Keep in mind that the polenta will stick to the bottom of the pan and everything else if the oil isn't hot enough. It's best to use a nice stainless steel spatula for flipping - one with a really thin edge. That way you can slowly work it under the pieces of polenta without destroying their crispy crust. :D.

Before the introduction of corn (maize) from America in the 16th century, polenta was made from starchy ingredients like farro, chestnut flour, millet, spelt, and chickpeas.

Polenta should look like loose scrambled eggs in the pan. It will continue to firm up as it sits, so you want it to be loose at this stage. Whisk in 3 Tbsp. of butter and 2 ounces of finely grated Parmesan cheese.

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!