Soft Cheesy Polenta Recipes

HOW TO MAKE PERFECT POLENTA

Steps:

• Bring water and salt to a boil in a large saucepan; pour polenta slowly into boiling water, whisking constantly until all polenta is stirred in and there are no lumps.
• Reduce heat to low and simmer, whisking often, until polenta starts to thicken, about 5 minutes. 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.
• Turn off heat and gently stir 2 tablespoons butter into polenta until butter partially melts; mix 1/2 cup Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese into polenta until cheese has melted. Cover and let stand 5 minutes to thicken; stir and taste for salt before transferring to a serving bowl. Top polenta with remaining 1 tablespoon butter and about 1 tablespoon freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese for garnish.

SOFT POLENTA

Steps:

• Bring 3 cups water to a full boil in a heavy pot. Simmer the remaining water close by.
• Add the salt and rapidly stir the water with a whisk, creating a vortex. Continuing to stir constantly, add the polenta in a thin stream into the vortex.
• Continue to stir after all the polenta has been added, then lower the heat to a simmer rather than a boil.
• As the polenta thickens, replace the whisk with a long-handled wooden spoon.
• Add the 1 cup of remaining water and continue to stir. Break up any lumps with the back of the spoon pressed against the pot.
• Continue stirring the polenta, reaching to the bottom of the pot as necessary, until it gets thick and pulls away from the sides of the pot.
• Taste the polenta to test tenderness; add additional water if necessary. The polenta can take 15 to 60 minutes to cook properly, depending on its type.
• During the last 5 minutes of cooking, stir in the pepper and butter, then add the cheese.
• Remove from heat.
• If serving immediately, pour onto a large platter or into a bowl or individual dishes.

SOFT, CHEESY POLENTA

Steps:

• Combine broth and salt, and bring to a boil. Slowly whisk in polenta, changing to a wooden spoon as the mixture thickens, and cook 5 minutes.
• Stir in butter and cheese, and season with pepper.

CREAMY CHEESY POLENTA

Steps:

• Heat the water, milk and salt in a saucepan over medium high heat. When it is steaming, slowly pour in the cornmeal while whisking the mixture in the pan.
• Bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to a simmer and continue stirring occasionally over the next 10-15 minutes while the mixture thickens.
• Remove the thickened polenta from the stove and add the butter and the cheese. Stir until smooth and creamy. Taste, adjust the salt if needed and serve warm. Enjoy!

QUICK AND CHEESY POLENTA

Steps:

• In a medium saucepan over medium-high heat, whisk together the broth, milk, and salt. Bring to a low boil.
• Stir in the polenta and reduce the heat to simmer. Cook, stirring, for 15 to 20 minutes, until the mixture is thick and creamy. Add more water if necessary to prevent sticking.
• Stir in the butter and add the cheese in small amounts, stirring to incorporate well. Season to taste with pepper and serve.

INSTANT POT POLENTA

Steps:

• Method One - Directly Cook Polenta in Instant Pot: Add ingredients in Instant Pot in the following order. Add 1 tsp (7g) fine salt, 4 cups (1L) to 4½ cups (1.125L) unsalted chicken stock in Instant Pot. Add in 1 cup (195g) coarsely ground polenta. Do NOT Mix!With Venting Knob in Venting Position, close the lid, then turn Venting Knob to Sealing Position. Pressure Cook at High Pressure for 10 minutes, then Natural Release for 15 minutes. Remove the lid carefully.*Pro Tip: To avoid the "Burn" Error, it's best to use Method 2. You don't have to worry about anything sticking to the bottom of the pot.
• Method Two - Pot in Pot Polenta: Add 2 cups (500ml) water, a trivet in the larger Instant Pot inner pot. Add ingredients to your smaller stainless steel pot in the following order: add in 1 tsp (7g) fine salt, 1 cup (195g) coarsely ground polenta. Add in 4 cups (1L) to 4½ cups (1.125L) unsalted chicken stock. Place the smaller pot on the trivet. *Pro Tip: If you don't have a low-profile trivet, place the smaller pot directly in the water. With Venting Knob in Venting Position, close the lid, then turn Venting Knob to Sealing Position. Pressure Cook at High Pressure for 15 minutes, then Natural Release for 15 minutes. Remove the lid carefully.
• Add Butter & Season: The polenta will look a bit watery at first. Add in 2.5 tbsp (36g) unsalted butter, then mix until desired consistency with a whisk. Optionally, mix in ½ cup to 1 cup (32g - 64g) freshly grated Parmesan cheese.
• Season & Serve: Taste and season polenta with more salt if necessary. For reference, we added 1 to 2 small pinches of salt. Serve this soft & creamy polenta immediately with your favorite main dishes, sauces, or veggies.

CHEESY POLENTA

Steps:

• In a large saucepan heat oil and butter. Add garlic and saute just until golden. Add stock, half and half and red pepper. Bring to a boil. Add cornmeal slowly, stirring continuously. Reduce heat and bring to a gentle simmer. Let simmer for about 20 minutes while stirring regularly. Mixture will become creamy and thick.
• Remove from heat and add salt and pepper to taste. Stir in cheeses and serve immediately

TRIPLE-CHEESE SOFT POLENTA

Steps:

• Combine 2 3/4 cups broth and cornmeal in heavy medium saucepan. Place over medium heat. Cook until mixture leaves sides of pan, stirring frequently, about 10 minutes. Remove from heat. Stir in all cheeses and parsley. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Thin with additional stock if desired.

CHEESY POLENTA

Steps:

• Bring the water to a boil in a large, heavy pot. Add the salt. Gradually whisk in the cornmeal. Reduce the heat to low and cook, stirring often, until the mixture thickens and the cornmeal is tender, 15 to 20 minutes. Remove the pot from the heat. Add the cheese, milk, butter, and parsley. Stir until the butter and cheese have melted. Season with salt and pepper, to taste. Transfer the polenta to a bowl and serve.

CHEESY POLENTA

Steps:

• In a large pot over medium-high heat, bring milk, water, and salt to a boil. Gradually whisk in polenta. Reduce heat to low, and cover. Cook 20 minutes, until creamy, lifting the lid and stirring every 3 or 4 minutes to prevent sticking. Remove pot from stove, stir in pepper and butter. Gradually stir in cheese. Serve.