Creamy garlic Polenta
Let me start by telling you how much I love Polenta! Its creamy, smooth consistency is so comforting to eat. A lot of people think of polenta as bland but they have not tried my creamy garlic polenta!! I take it up a notch by pimping it up with loads of flavour.
Everything you need to know about Polenta
Polenta is a dish which is very popular in Southern Italy made from ground cornmeal. Its cooked low and slow with a combination of water, milk and cream. There are two types of polenta; a coarse polenta and a fine polenta also known as instant polenta. This reduces the cooking time as its a lot finer and so it cooks quicker.
Polenta is gluten free, Vegetarian and Its a healthier alternative to other side dishes such as mashed potatoes, pasta and rice.
Polenta is definitely underrated! Its such a simple dish to make and so versatile. It is great on its own or as a side dish for stews, casseroles and meats. Think Osso buco, chicken cacciatore, slow cooked lamb. Polenta can be served creamy and runny, or left to cool and set in a rectangular dish which can then be baked, fried or grilled.
Why I love polenta
Polenta was introduced to me after I had my daughter Olive. My Nonna had given her a bowl of polenta after she started solids and she loved it. I remember adding different things to mix it up for her like peas, pumpkin and some small pieces of lamb shanks. She would devour it every time. My two boys that followed also loved it so it became a staple in our family.
I began experimenting and adding in different ingredients to up the flavour. I crushed garlic into the polenta and stirred in some butter at the end. It made a huge difference. Another time I made it I used stock instead of just water and that seriously took it to another level.
Lastly I tried it with parmesan stirred through and thats when I truly fell in love with Polenta. The creamy, cheesy, garlic deliciousness made me Its number one fan!! I think I have now perfected the recipe!
But seriously, I love how for something so quick and easy to make the end result is so comforting and so delicious.
Give it a go and I’m sure you will love it too!! I use the Marco pollo Polenta which is available from Woolworths.
Be sure to check out my easy chicken cacciatore recipe which is a perfect match for the creamy garlic polenta!
Creamy garlic polenta
Ingredients
- 1 litre vegetable stock
- ½ cup full cream milk
- 2 cloves garlic crushed
- 1 cup fine polenta also known as instant polenta
- ½ cup parmesan cheese grated
- 30 grams butter
Instructions
- In a medium saucepan add the stock, milk and garlic and bring to the boil.
- Gradually add in the polenta whisking as you go until there are no lumps.
- Reduce heat to low and cotinue to whisk until the polenta starts to thicken, around 10 minutes
- Remove from heat and stir through the parmesan and butter with a pinch of salt and pepper.
- Serve polenta with your favourite stews, braises or slow cooked dishes.
