Polenta is a versatile and healthy option for a main course or side dish with any meal.
Polenta is a dish made from cooked grains, most often cornmeal, and it can be served for breakfast, lunch or dinner. Depending on how coarse or finely it has been ground and the temperature at which it has been cooked, polenta can take many forms, making it incredibly versatile. When it's hot and fresh, polenta is a soft porridge, much like cream of wheat. As it cools, the polenta becomes more firm, making it easy to cut into slices after you pour it into a loaf pan to cool. Polenta is also a healthy addition to any meal because it contains iron, magnesium, phosphorus, zinc and vitamin B6. Add this to my Recipe Box.
Sweet Breakfast Polenta
Polenta is most often prepared as a savory dish, but sweet polenta works just as well. This breakfast porridge is similar to cream of wheat or oatmeal. Cook the polenta as you normally would, or to save time, cook it in the microwave for a quick breakfast. While the polenta is still hot and soft, stir in vanilla extract, brown sugar, cinnamon, maple syrup or honey. A handful of chopped fresh fruit, nuts or raisins also make great additions.
Poached Egg
A poached egg turns plain polenta into a filling meal. Use the polenta when it's still soft and serve the egg and polenta in a bowl. Or, allow the polenta to chill, then cut it into slices and pan-fry them in butter before topping with an egg. Place a slice of bacon between the egg and the polenta for a bit of extra flavor and texture. If you're unsure of poach an egg, try a soft-boiled or over-easy egg instead.
Chili
Polenta makes the perfect base for chili. The cornmeal porridge is like a mix between rice and cornbread, which are common chili accompaniments. Prepare the polenta as you would normally. When the polenta has almost reached the right consistency, stir in a few handfuls of shredded cheese. Hot sauce, chili powder, chopped jalapenos or chipotle peppers will give the polenta a spicy, Mexican-inspired kick. Spoon the polenta into a bowl, then top with chili and serve immediately.
Casserole
You can assemble a hearty polenta casserole ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator until dinner time. Spread half a jar spaghetti sauce into the bottom of a 13-by-9-inch baking dish. Top with a layer of cooked meat and then sprinkle with shredded cheese. Spoon a layer of cooked, warm polenta on top of the cheese. Repeat the layers of sauce, meat, cheese and polenta once more, then sprinkle the entire dish with more shredded cheese. Bake the casserole at 350 F until the top is golden brown and the edges are bubbly, about 25 to 30 minutes. Allow the casserole to cool slightly before serving.
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