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Creamy Cheesy Polenta

5.0

(3)

creamy polenta recipe
Photo by Alex Lau, food styling by Susie Theodorou, prop styling by Elizabeth Jaime

A creamy, cheesy polenta that isn’t as high maintenance as you’d expect. Despite its reputation, polenta does not need to be whisked constantly and attentively for 30 minutes straight. As long as you cook it gently, over low heat, you can get away with whisking it only a few times as it cooks. This recipe is from Montreal’s cozy-cool coffee-pizza-wine restaurant Elena (and goes great with this pork roast).

Recipe information

  • Yield

    Makes about 4 cups

Ingredients

3 cups (or more) whole milk
1 cup polenta (coarse cornmeal)
3 oz. finely grated Parmesan (about 1½ cups)
4 Tbsp. unsalted butter
4 tsp. kosher salt

Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Bring milk and 3 cups water to a boil over medium-high heat in a medium saucepan. Reduce heat to medium. Whisking constantly, gradually add polenta; bring to a simmer. Reduce heat to low, cover pan, and cook, whisking every 10–15 minutes, until thickened and no longer gritty, 30–35 minutes. Remove from heat and add Parmesan, butter, and salt. Cook, whisking, until butter and cheese are melted and polenta is the consistency of porridge, about 1 minute.

    Step 2

    Do Ahead: Polenta can be made 3 hours ahead. Store covered at room temperature. Reheat over medium-low, adding milk as needed to loosen.

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