Giada and I were at peace in the kitchen this week. We both had a lot on our plates and were busied with other things, so when she suggested making "the Italian version of mashed potatoes"...I didn't have any qualms with that. Any version of polenta...cornmeal mush...corn pone...is hearty and filling and comforting, rib-sticking goodness to me. So, I made a big bowl of comfort food to bring to the IHCC Potluck this week. Wonder if anybody brought any rich, roasted meat to go along with it...like the succulent juices of oxtail stew...drool...?
Herbed Cheese Polenta
slightly adapted from Giada's Family Dinners
yield: 8-10 svgs.
9 c. water
1 Tbs. salt
2½ c. yellow cornmeal or polenta
1½ c. finely grated parmesan cheese
1½ c. whole milk
10 Tbs. unsalted butter, cut into pieces
Bring water to a boil in large, heavy pot. Add salt. Gradually whisk in cornmeal. Reduce heat to low, stirring often, until mixture thickens and cornmeal is tender, ~15 mins. Remove from heat, add cheese, milk, butter, herbs and pepper. Stir until butter and cheese melt. Serve.
Herbed Cheese Polenta
slightly adapted from Giada's Family Dinners
yield: 8-10 svgs.
9 c. water
1 Tbs. salt
2½ c. yellow cornmeal or polenta
1½ c. finely grated parmesan cheese
1½ c. whole milk
10 Tbs. unsalted butter, cut into pieces
~½ c. chopped mixed herbs...I used flat leaf parsley, fresh thyme, fresh rosemary, fresh chives
¾ tsp. freshly ground black pepperBring water to a boil in large, heavy pot. Add salt. Gradually whisk in cornmeal. Reduce heat to low, stirring often, until mixture thickens and cornmeal is tender, ~15 mins. Remove from heat, add cheese, milk, butter, herbs and pepper. Stir until butter and cheese melt. Serve.
For those of you who were anticipating a cat fight in the kitchen this week...sorry to disappoint ;)
Check back, though...Giada and I still have plenty of time together. Ha!
*This post is linked to:
Mmmmm....it looks just like the cheese grits we have in the morning! Yum yum!!
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness. You are amazing. This looks heavenly.
ReplyDeleteQue rica tiene que estar tú polenta con el queso. Fantastica.
ReplyDeleteSaludos
Yum, I could eat the whole bowl! I am German by birth, but apparently Italian by tongue!
ReplyDeleteThis looks good. In South Africa we make various dishes from what we call maize meal that are similar to polenta. I think it is time that I give the Italian version a try. Thanks for this.
ReplyDeleteThts so yum looking..cat fight or no cat fight..the food should come out good and gorgeous..your bowl looks just like that :)
ReplyDeleteI made polenta once but I didn't put anything on it. The result was a bland thing completely tasteless. I wish I had this recipe then.
ReplyDeleteI have this same cookbook and have been eyeing this recipe forever. You definitely make me want to make it now. It really does look delicious and I like the addition of the fresh herbs. Yum! Thanks for linking up to Cookbook Sundays Heather and I keep telling you, you're going to learn to like Giada. :o)
ReplyDeleteYou just can't go wrong with polenta so I can see why a throwdown was avoided yet again this week. Truly unfortunate. I was looking forward to some serious action.
ReplyDeletedelightful! i'm going to see if i can scale down the recipe for 2. i already know which pretty dish i want to put it in!
ReplyDeleteDoes it set up like usual if you let it cool in a form (for frying the next day)?
This sounds rich, warm, and smooth. I'm a big fan of stone ground grits when cooked as a side with a lot of main courses but I haven't done a lot with polenta. But yeah, some slices of a roast and drippings drizzled over this polenta would perfect.
ReplyDeleteLyndsey...I adore grits, too!!!
ReplyDeleteMelynda...me too, LOL!
Katerina...Yes, definitely try it with something added it...you'll be pleased with the difference.
Brenda...we'll see ;)
Joanne...ha ha ha ha ha
TMC...I did scale it down and cook a half batch and it worked out just fine...It should work well for 2 people, I'd imagine...and YES, it sets up great for frying the leftovers (my personal fave)!!
Chris...I know, I know...makes my mouth water just thinking about it :)
That polenta looks really scrumptious.
ReplyDeleteAh, you and Giada (mostly you) sure know how to make the ordinary - extraordinary!! What a delicious dish. I am going to give it a try for dinner - I have no fresh herbs so I hope dried translates well!
ReplyDeletehave heard and seen so much about polenta... your post was a good reminder... the herbs used give it a great flavor profile
ReplyDeleteUS Masala
I love polenta. With all that cheese in it, this looks like something I can't pass up.
ReplyDeleteThis is delightful and going to the top of my favorite comfort foods :)
ReplyDeleteMmm, yummy and definitely comforting. I have only had polenta once (Michael Symon's) and we were quite taken by it. Definitely time to try it again!
ReplyDeleteI don't usually do polentas, but you make it look so rich!
ReplyDeleteThis looks tasty! Thanks for stopping by my blog and welcoming me to IHCC. I have been checking out a lot of your older posts and bookmarking some of your recipes. And the family on that mug is my great-grandmother's family! The photo must be from around 1930.
ReplyDeleteOh wow, Nico!! That is so cool. Cherish it :D
ReplyDeleteThis just might be the recipe that sheds a new light on polenta for me! It looks and sounds amazing :)
ReplyDeleteYum, delicious and simple. I love polenta and this looks just perfect.
ReplyDeleteI have never made polenta! This looks fantastic though! Thanks!
ReplyDeleteSmile. I'm glad that you and Giada were able to hold the peace this weekend. This cheesy polenta looks like the perfect comfort food. Can I please have some...I'm in serious need of something as delicious as this. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely divine, just drooling rite now here..
ReplyDeleteHeather, nothing better... so wonderful to flavor!
ReplyDeleteOh a lovely idea... I hadn't thought to mix herbs into polenta before. So obvious really when you think about it!
ReplyDeleteRobyn x
This looks like might fine food! I have to admit though, I am a little disappointed that there wasn't a little bit of a rumble! too funny.
ReplyDeletemmmm my mouth is watering just reading about this recipe! I'm your newest follower! LOVE your blog!
ReplyDeleteAh....polenta! I love it, but I can't make it to save my life:) This version looks delicious with the herbs and cheese. I'd love to stick a spoon right into that bowl.
ReplyDeleteYour polenta just soothes - you cannot have a catfight with that delicious dish,
ReplyDeleteStick a bunch of yummy cheese in anything and I'd say you've got a winner.
ReplyDeleteOh I have a 5 pound bag of polenta yearning to be used in this recipe. Awesome!!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the Just Another Meatless Monday link up!
I love polenta! And scary enough I think G may be growing on me a tiny bit. She's like a little Italian fungus.
ReplyDeleteOh, I DO love me some polenta. You can put anything in it and it would be good! I like mine simple, just with black pepper and parmesan....too easy and so good!
ReplyDeleteOh yum...I defiitely want to make this, maybe with a nice brisket! Giada have had our ups and downs too :)
ReplyDeleteYum polenta. I'm totally going to try this! Mmmmm...with a big juicy steak!
ReplyDeleteI love polenta! And cheese too. :) Looks great!
ReplyDeleteI've only ever made polenta fries. This one is worth a try. Looks great.
ReplyDeleteThis looks amazing. Tucking it away for another IHCC week. I'm sure it will fit some future theme. :) I hope you and Giada start getting along better--at least if you are going to stick with her for 6 months...
ReplyDeleteI have never made polenta. This looks like a great recipe to start with!
ReplyDeleteI just had cheesy polenta for dinner tonight at a great restaurant and thought to myself that I needed to try to make some! Thanks for the recipe!
ReplyDeleteI'm so happy to see you and Giada getting along so well! I just know you will be BFFs before the 6 months are up. ;-) This looks delicious--I love a good creamy polenta.
ReplyDeleteLove this recipe! I adapt a lot of Giada recipes as well.
ReplyDeleteDefinitely add this one to my list!
Love the new header, i'll have to update it on my blogroll!
Mmmm...I love all of the flavor in this polenta. Fried leftovers would be awesome, I'm sure. :)
ReplyDeleteMmmm, sounds super de-lish! Thanks for linking it up to Tailgating Time last Sunday and so sorry it took me so long to stop by - still dealing with mom, the hospital and now rehab. Hopefully things will be back to normal and I'll be back to blogging soon!
ReplyDeleteLooks great - I love polenta. Why I have I never thought to put herbs in it before - that's a great idea and I bet it tasted wonderful. A bit of gorgonzola is my favourite addition to polenta.
ReplyDeleteSue :-)
Kind of reminds me of cheddar and broccoli soup.
ReplyDelete