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Lidia Matticchio Bastianich

Basic Polenta


Basic Polenta

Serves 6

Ingredients

  • 4 cups Water 1/2 milk, 1/2 water could be used for a richer taste
  • 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
  • 1 Bay leaf
  • 2 tablespoons sea salt
  • 1½ cups yellow Polenta

Method

  1. In a medium cast-iron saucepan or other heavy pot, bring all ingredients except the cormeal to simmer over medium heat.
  2. Very slowly, begin to sift the cornmeal into the pan through the fingers of one hand, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon or whisk. Gradually sift all the meal into the pan, continue to stir and reduce the heat to medium low.
  3. Continue to stir constantly until the polenta is smooth and thick and pulls away from the sides of the pan as it is stirred, about 30 minutes.
  4. Discard the bay leaf, pour the polenta into a serving bowl or onto a wooden board, and allow it to rest 10 minutes.
  5. To serve from the bowl, dip a large spoon into a hot water and scoop the polenta onto individual dishes, dipping the spoon in the water between scoops.
  6. To serve from the board, cut the polenta into segments with a thin, taut string or a knife and transfer to plates with spatula or cake server.
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What do you think?

  • Janet117
    December 2010

    I've made this recipe a few times, as recommended by Lidia and with variations. My verdict for the best mix is to add 1 tbsp. of fresh garlic and 1/3 cup of Parmesan cheese. I also reduced the salt to 1/2 tblsp. and increased the bay leaf to 2-3 leaves. All the family loves this style of polenta, it's the best YUM!!!!! Once cooled, I then slice and place under the grill until browned to your liking, !! It's that simple! Also this recipe is lovely with fresh broccoli chopped, which you add at the beginning of your recipe with the water.

  • Mericas
    November 2009

    I've been cooking and eating southern grits for 15 years and can't wait to add a bit of bacon bits and a fried egg to the finished Polenta!!!

  • sharito
    September 2009

    I followed this measurements in this recipe exactly, and thought 2 tablespoons of salt seemed like too much but added it anyway. And it came out horribly salty! Is this possibly a typo; should it be 2 teaspoons not tablespoons?

    • amanda
      January 2010

      look at what kind of salt is called for in the recipe. sea salt has a coarser grain than table salt, so you would use a larger measure to get the same amount. you should salt accordingly to what kind of salt you are using and your tastes; unless you are baking, then follow the directions.

  • Mark
    July 2009

    Mark I used beef stock as water component gives more flavour also use parmasen cheese and some mixed dried herbs allow to set slice and fry in some good extra virgin olive oil until crispy you have to try it

  • Jill Rosenthal

    I just used the recipe, accept substituted oil for the butter and used curry leaves instead of bay leaves. It is lovely - thanks!

  • Keith Emms
    April 2009

    why use water? you wouldn't use water in your champagne. You must use vegetable stock or fruit juice such as apple. I hate it when people cook with water!! Keith Emms

    • ekki
      8 months ago

      rich people talking.....

    • Marianna
      10 months ago

      Keith, the polenta tastes briny if you use salt in your cooking liquid. Salt and nutmeg gets added right at the end!

    • Kimberly
      April 2010

      Do you even know what traditional Italian cooking is? I bet you would also use cream and eggs in gelato. *Shakes head*

    • Hilda
      July 2009

      Keith Emms you use water because this is a traditional polenta recipe, the basis of many beautiful arrangements on a plate. Why do some people try so hard to bastardise traditional dishes??!!!

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