Polenta is a Northern Italian staple. It is an easy, satisfying side dish or can serve as a base for a wide variety of toppings - from a light spring vegetable ragout to hearty, meaty stews.
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes
Ingredients:
- 4 1/2 cups broth or water
- 1 cup polenta
- 1/2 tsp. salt
- 1/2 cup grated parmesan or other cheese (optional)
Preparation:
- In a medium saucepan, bring the broth or water to a boil. With the liquid boiling, sprinkle in the polenta while stirring the liquid. Stir in the salt and keep stirring until the entire mixture boils again. Reduce the heat to maintain a steady simmer and cover. Stir the polenta every few minutes until it is thick and tender (traditionally polenta is stirred constantly while cooking—go ahead and do this if you like, but it's not absolutely necessary).
- Stir in the cheese, if you like. Adjust the salt and cheese to taste. Serve hot or warm.
