A versatile Northern Italian specialty that complements any meal.
Polenta is an easy-to-make dish that goes with just about anything.
Serve it anywhere you’d servemashed potatoes,rice,or pasta.
Credit: Kim Cornelison
It’s also economical (besides water and salt, cornmeal is all you need).
While polenta is a Northern Italian dish, it plays well with all kinds of flavors from other cuisines.
We love it as a side tocomfort-food recipes, such as a greatpot roast.
Credit: Scott Little
Polenta also makes a hearty anchor to a vegetarian meal, as in this Winter Garden Polenta recipe.
What Is Polenta?
Once the polenta is cooked, it’s the stir-ins and toppings that make the dish really take off.
Ingredients for Polenta
So, what is polenta made of?
At its most basic, only three ingredients are required: cornmeal, water, and salt.
Some recipes substitute broth or a combo of broth and white wine for the water and salt.
Look for cornmeal labeled “polenta” or “coarse ground.”
You’ll also note that cornmeal comes in yellow and white styles.
Both can be used, but for an Italian-style polenta, yellow is the most traditional.
Generally, regular cornmeal requires more water and takes less time to cook than coarse-ground cornmeal.
Where is polenta in the grocery store?
You might also find refrigerated polenta tubes near refrigerated pasta and cheeses.
Is Polenta Gluten-Free?
Because it only requires cornmeal, water, and salt, polenta should be gluten-free.
Also, once the polenta is cooked, sometimes gluten-containing ingredients can be added to the final dish.
- More information can be found on theBeyond Celiacwebsite.
you could use any cheese that melts well.
Check out ourcheese guideto find more great melting cheeses.
How to Make Polenta Cakes
Polenta cakes are a more solid and sturdy form of polenta.
They can be made by adding just a few steps to a basic polenta recipe.
The cooked polenta is poured into a pan, cooled, and chilled.
Once firm, it’s baked until heated through.
Check out our recipe forGrilled Polenta with Mushroomsrecipe.
Since it’s already cooked, it usually just needs to be warmed through before serving.
But did you know that polenta can be a hearty main dish, too?
Give it a try in thesePolenta Burgers.
And here’s another news flash: Polenta makes a great ingredient for desserts, too.
To get started, try our Cast-Iron Plum-Polenta Cake.
Indeed, you’ll never run out of ways to serve polenta.
To reheat, place the squares in a 350-degree oven or air fryer for 25 minutes.
