Thursday, October 29, 2009

Polenta D'Italia

Polenta has intrigued me for some time. I didn't know if I would care for it and I especially didn't know if my picky eaters would enjoy polenta. This version of polenta which is loosely adapted from a Giada DeLaurentis recipe was a winner at our house.


1 pound instant polenta (about 2 1/2 cups)
1 cup cream
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil
3 teaspoons minced garlic
3/4 cup grated Parmesan

Make the polenta according to package instructions. Just before the polenta is finished thickening, add the cream, cheese, basil, garlic, salt, and pepper. Pour the polenta onto a greased, rimmed baking sheet. Set aside to cool and firm up, about 30 minutes.

Use a 2-inch diameter biscuit cutter and cut the polenta into round shapes.




Heat 2 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil over medium high heat in a skillet. Place the polenta rounds in the skillet and cook until golden brown on each side. While the polenta is browning heat up your favorite marinara sauce.




Place polenta slices on a platter and ladle with your heated marinara sauce and garnish with freshly grated Parmesan cheese.




A very stunning and easy to prepare side dish!

I'm really slammed at work and I am hoping to be around this evening to visit all of your blogs.


40 comments:

Mary Bergfeld said...

This looks great and sounds delicious. I wonder if it can be frozen for those days when there is no time to let the polenta firm for cutting?

Cathy said...

So did the picky eaters like it? I love polenta - both in firm form like this or soft form as a side dish.

Betsy Banks Adams said...

I'm not sure I've ever had Polenta, Katherine.. I googled it to find out what it is.. Sounds interesting though. Thanks for the 'education' ..

Hugs,
Betsy

Inspired by eRecipeCards said...

Perfect perfect perfect... I have been screaming polenta for awhile. On it's own, very little flavor, but when dressed up, it is wonderful. The garlic and frying sounded wonderful, and then adding the sauce and cheese - tops!

If you are in a funky mood, sometimes I use cookie cutters to make shapes!

Lucy..♥ said...

Yum!!! I love it either way, also grilled and topped w/many toppings. ;-)

Juliana said...

Polenta, I haven't had these for so long...yours look so yummie, like it with the sauce :-)

Julie said...

Looks wonderful...I've only had polenta once but I loved it. I really like they way you served yours here.

Tobi said...

I have never had a polenta that I liked but I am more than willing to try this recipe. It looks like it's packed with flavor!

Anonymous said...

Your polenta looks terrific! I love the perfect round shapes!

Sherri Murphy said...

I was raised on Polenta- coming from an Italian home. I love it- my sons love it- but hubby says it must be an aquired taste - it's actually a texture thing with him- but he's Irish what does he know about delicious Authentic Italian food!

This one sounds great. I love the rounds. I'll try that next time.

tavolini said...

That definitely looks good! I haven't done polenta at our house...cornbread or grits always seems to win. Yours looks good!

Lea Ann said...

I am totally snowed in here in Denver, with 15 inches in the yard and 10 more to come today. It just so happens that I have every single ingredient in my pantry to make this. I think I'll try it for lunch, Thanks for the post.

Thistle Cove Farm said...

I ADORE polenta but then, being Appalachian, what's not to like about corn bread in any form?
-wicked grin-

The JR said...

I've never had it. But keep seeing it on Food Network. I think I want to try some.

Ramona

Fresh Local and Best said...

I've never seen polenta presented in this way. It's quite impressive!

Katy ~ said...

Some day I shall try polenta. I love all the add-ins with this. Makes it sound tempting.

La Cuisine d'Helene said...

I've never had polenta. This looks delicious.

Penny said...

I wonder why I have never made polenta? Probably for the same reasons you didn't. I think I would like it fried like this. Need to do this. Yours looks so good!

Jennifer said...

You always inspire me! I have wanted to make polenta but have been too scared, this looks like a recipe I could handle!

Kristen said...

That looks really yummy to me (but most things with cream do)

HEATHER said...

OH sounds SO yummy!!
I have only had polenta once, at La Orangerie in Knoxville on Kingston Pike. They served it with chicken, but it didn't have the marinara sauce.

Marjie said...

I'm a little afraid of a bread product covered with sauce. But you and Pam must be on the same page today, eh? It looks good, and I may be forced to try it one day.

Dewi said...

This polenta sounds utterly delicious.

Chris said...

After your first plate of polenta did you ask for mo' lenta?

Those grits look great;)

Coleens Recipes said...

I've never eaten polenta either. I've seen it made on the food channels, and always thought it looked like cold Malt-o-meal (you know after it gets cold and turns solid?). I guess I should try it.

Jen @ tatertotsandjello.com said...

Oh wow - that looks amazing Katharine! Is it bad to admit that I have never made polenta? Kind of sad. I will have to try it.

Happy Halloween!

XOXO
Jen

Marguerite said...

This dish looks dee-lish, especially with the cheese and marinara sauce. Yummmm! Now, that's Italian!

NKP said...

I am so glad you liked it!
I haven't tried polenta either, but hope to soon.

gigi said...

I've never made Polenta. But I like it and this seems so easy. I can't wait to try this. Yum.
Hsve a Grand weekend.

teresa said...

this is so fun! i've been wanting to play around more with polenta too, delicious!

buffalodick said...

I've had it once or twice, and the whole grits, polenta, corn bread thing is not an up North rage.. You might be able to find corn bread on the menu at Famous Dave's, but very few other places.. Even Italian restaurants around here don't do polenta!

Kathryn Magendie said...

Oh! I love polenta - I've done something like this before and it so good!

(about your comment - my hb was born in New Orleans and lived in So La all his life - I didn't think he'd ever want to leave but he loves it here!)

pam said...

My polenta never gets solid like that. But I see that my liquid ratio is really different than yours.

Sam Hoffer / My Carolina Kitchen said...

You're right. This is a stunning side dish Katherine. We love Giada at our house.
Sam

Reeni said...

I really love polenta! I bet it was rich and delicious with the heavy cream. You put it over the top by smothering it in sauce and cheese! Who could resist?

Joanne said...

I absolutely adore polenta and this recipe looks especially delicious. I hope it went over well with your picky eaters!

Anonymous said...

I have only had polenta once and I just had a problem with the texture. I am going to give this another try! Looks delicious!

MaricrisG said...

Thank you for this. My hubby still owes me a polenta dish. This reminds me to remind him to keep up with his promise! Thanks lady.

pigpigscorner said...

I tried polenta once and thought it was a bit mushy. This might make me appreciate polenta more!

Jamie said...

Love polenta and I love it cooked this way. Yours look sooo delicious!