The Wonderful World of Polenta

I've known about polenta for only about a year now but it is becoming one of my go-to sides. It goes well with everything and its subtle, sweet taste allows you to flavor it a variety of ways. Because last night's Beef Wellington was pretty involved, I decided to choose a simpler recipe today-- and polenta is a GREAT meal to have if you're on a college budget. Corn meal is cheap and it expands so you get more bang for your buck!

Polenta is most commonly boiled and served like mashed potatoes. But it doesn't end there. Today I'll show you how to make it, bake it and fry it. Enjoy!

Ingredients: Serves 8

Corn Meal--- 1.5 CUPS
Water--- 6 CUPS
Salt and Pepper--- Season to Taste
Olive Oil--- 2 TBSP
Parmesan Cheese--- 1/4 to 1/2 CUP (depending on how much you like parm!)


STEP BY STEP:

• 1. In a large pot, bring water to a boil

• 2. Add oil, corn meal, salt and pepper and reduce water to a simmer

• 3. Stir, Stir, Stir and Stir some more. You need to continually stir until all the extra water evaporates and leaves you with creamy polenta

• 4. Once creamy, pour into a bowl and let cool for 5 minutes before serving

• 5. That's it! You can always add more cheese to melt in but overall polenta is that easy

  For Baked Polenta:

• 1. Make polenta (follow above recipe)

• 2. Preheat oven to 350F

• 3. Once finished pour into an oven safe square baking dish (7" x 7"), oil bottom and spread evenly with spatula-- can be thick or thin

• 4. Bake for 15 minutes 

• 5. Remove from oven and cut out shapes ( I typically use a cup and make "polenta patties"

For Fried Polenta:

• 1.  Make polenta (follow above recipe)

• 2. Transfer to rectangular dish with oiled bottom and spread evenly. Should be about 3/4" to 1" thick.

• 3. Cover with plastic wrap and store in the refrigerator for 2 hours (this lets it firm-up nicely)

• 4. After time has passed, uncover polenta and transfer to a cutting board. It should just plop out if you turn the dish upside down.

• 5. Cut into thick rectangles  

• 6. Heat 11" pan to Medium-High and oil once hot.

• 7. Add polenta "fries" to pan and cook on all 4 sides until they are crispy and a light brown.

• 8. Once polenta fries are finished serve with marinara sauce or wrap in prosciutto!!