Simple, idiot-proof recipe for polenta?!
Simple, idiot-proof recipe for polenta?
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Answers:
7 Minute Rich and Creamy Polenta
2 cups half-and-half
2 cups water
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1 1/2 cups coarse cornmeal
4 tablespoons unsalted butter
1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
fresh ground black pepper
In a medium saucepan bring the half-and-half and the water to a boil.
Add the salt and then gradually add the polenta while stirring.
Reduce the heat to maintain a simmer, stirring constantly.
The polenta should be smooth and large bubbles will pop on the surface.
Cook until very thick but not stiff, about 5 to 7 minutes.
Remove from heat and add butter, cheese and pepper.
Serve immediately.
There are two basic ways to make polenta if you're brain-dead, or just don't want to waste your time standing at the stove stirring cornmeal.
The first one involves a rice cooker and coursely ground cornmeal, but the advantage is that you can get whole grain meal, which I like better. I suppose you could use regular cornmeal if your rice cooker plate has really tiny holes, or just accept the fact that the bottom will get gunked up, or maybe try putting some muslin or cheesecloth on the bottom, under the plate.
Plug in rice cooker. Make sure you have the plate with the holes in it inside the cooker. (We're talking braindead here, remember? But hey, I bet I'm hardly the first person to forget that plate.) Measure 1 cup cornmeal and some salt if you want. Place in rice cooker. Add 3 or more cups (probably more, but I haven't experimented that much) cold water, stir. Turn on rice cooker. Let it sit for a while after it's done cooking, because it will get firmer. I've never tried to add stuff like cheese or butter, but I suppose you could.
BTW, my rice cooker is OLD, and all it does is turn on and off. No logic, fuzzy or otherwise.
Other people have tried this too, with greater elaboration:
http://savorynotebook.blogspot.com/2005/...
Google POLENTA RICE-COOKER for more ideas.
No rice cooker? Try that other essential kitchen appliance, the microwave. This method requires a bit more fussing, because you have to check it and stir.
Here's one recipe:
http://www.recipesource.com/fgv/polenta/...
If you google MICROWAVE POLENTA you'll get a bunch of recipes.
Here's what Wikipedia says:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/polenta...
One of the suggestions in the article is making it with a slow cooker, which would probably work if you gave it a stir once in a while, but it would take hours.
Polenta is just cornmeal mush. Don't knock yourself out over it.
Slice into 1/2 inch wedges. Drop into hot oil and pan fry until golden brown. "Drizzle" with whatever... Eggs Over Easy, Hot Sauce, Shredded Cheddar, Ranch Dressing, Garlic butter and chopped bacon...yum.