Polenta hails originally from Italy. Polenta is an interesting ingredient to cook or bake with because it is so adaptable making it perfect for both savory or sweet dishes. It can be used as a main dish or as dessert! Polenta is a corn and therefore, inexpensive and can be purchased in many forms including a bag of coarse, stoned-ground yellow cornmeal to a tube of pre-made, pre-seasoned cooked polenta. When purchasing you should look for products that say "polenta" directly on the label.
Basic Polenta Recipe
1 Cup Polenta
1 Quart of Water
3/4 Cup - 1 Cup of Whole Milk
3 Tbsp. Butter
Salt to Taste - Polenta is a starch that usually reaches its full flavor when salted.
Method of Preparations can vary from boiling if purchased grain in a bag to pan frying or slicing and baking if you purchased a tube. For this recipe, we will use the boiling method.
Bring lightly salted water to a boil stove top.
Once the water comes to a rolling boil slowly pour the polenta in a steady stream into the pan. Whisking vigorously the entire time you're pouring. Reduce the heat to low continuing whisking while paying attention to the corners and middle of the pan to prevent sticking.
After 10 minutes, the polenta should be thickening up and the grains should be beginning to soften. Add 3/4 cup of milk a little bit at a time, whisking between each addition.
Cook an additional 10 minutes or so. Taste... there should be no gritty texture. If it seems too thick for your taste, add the last bit of milk while whisking to achieve the texture you like. The more you whisk the smoother and creamier the polenta will become. Salt to taste (unless you have dietary/medical concerns).
Now, the interesting part that I promised you! There are hundreds of recipes for polenta online - simply Google them, but for now, I am going to provide a few that feature honey. I hope you enjoy them and they encourage you to explore more polenta recipes on your own.
Toppings
Honey and Berries
Ingredients
1 Cup Strawberries - cleaned and halved
1 Cup Blueberries
1 Cup Blackberries or Raspberries (your choice)
3 Tablespoons Vickie's Bees Honey (your choice of flavor, I liked Cranberry Orange)
2 tablespoons dark Rum or Brandy
2 Tablespoons unsalted butter
White Powdered Sugar (Confectioner's)
Instructions
In a large bowl, combine berries, honey, and rum/brandy ingredients and toss well. Let stand while preparing the polenta (boiled or pan-fried until golden patties, either will work).
Divide the polenta onto serving plates. Spoon honey/berry mixture on top of each polenta plate. Lightly dust with confectioners sugar and serve.
Parmesan Cheese and Roasted Garlic Honey
Ingredients
Polenta (prepared using the boil method recipe above)
1/4 Cup plus 2 Tablespoons of Grated Parmesan Cheese (We buy a block of good cheese and grate it ourselves)
Vickie's Bees - Honey to Drizzle
Instructions
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Spray a 9-inch glass baking dish with cooking spray or lightly coat with olive oil.
Prepare polenta using the boiling method - at the very end stir in the 1/4 cup Parmesan Cheese and remove from the stovetop.
Spread the polenta mixture into the prepared baking pan. Sprinkle the remaining Parmesan on top of the dish.
Bake for 20-25 minutes or until golden brown on top. Watch carefully and do not let the cheese burn.
Allow to slightly cool. Cut/Scoop to plate and drizzle honey. I would recommend Vickie's Bees Garlic/Ginger/Turmeric or Roasted Garlic or Peach Chipotle.
Other Topping Suggestions
Sausage Eggs
Gorgonzola Black Beans and Tomatoes
Sautéed Mushrooms
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