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.


at

40 comments:

  1. Mary BergfeldOctober 29, 2009 at 9:08 AM

    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?

    ReplyDelete
  2. CathyOctober 29, 2009 at 9:10 AM

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

    ReplyDelete
  3. Betsy Banks AdamsOctober 29, 2009 at 9:13 AM

    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

    ReplyDelete
  4. Inspired by eRecipeCardsOctober 29, 2009 at 9:15 AM

    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!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Lucy..♥October 29, 2009 at 9:29 AM

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

    ReplyDelete
  6. JulianaOctober 29, 2009 at 9:49 AM

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

    ReplyDelete
  7. JulieOctober 29, 2009 at 10:01 AM

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

    ReplyDelete
  8. TobiOctober 29, 2009 at 10:03 AM

    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!

    ReplyDelete
  9. AnonymousOctober 29, 2009 at 10:17 AM

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

    ReplyDelete
  10. Sherri MurphyOctober 29, 2009 at 10:24 AM

    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.

    ReplyDelete
  11. tavoliniOctober 29, 2009 at 10:28 AM

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

    ReplyDelete
  12. Lea AnnOctober 29, 2009 at 10:32 AM

    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.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Thistle Cove FarmOctober 29, 2009 at 10:36 AM

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

    ReplyDelete
  14. The JROctober 29, 2009 at 12:11 PM

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

    Ramona

    ReplyDelete
  15. Fresh Local and BestOctober 29, 2009 at 12:33 PM

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

    ReplyDelete
  16. Katy ~October 29, 2009 at 2:03 PM

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

    ReplyDelete
  17. La Cuisine d'HeleneOctober 29, 2009 at 2:06 PM

    I've never had polenta. This looks delicious.

    ReplyDelete
  18. PennyOctober 29, 2009 at 2:21 PM

    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!

    ReplyDelete
  19. JenniferOctober 29, 2009 at 2:31 PM

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

    ReplyDelete
  20. KristenOctober 29, 2009 at 2:31 PM

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

    ReplyDelete
  21. HEATHEROctober 29, 2009 at 3:20 PM

    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.

    ReplyDelete
  22. MarjieOctober 29, 2009 at 3:51 PM

    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.

    ReplyDelete
  23. DewiOctober 29, 2009 at 4:22 PM

    This polenta sounds utterly delicious.

    ReplyDelete
  24. ChrisOctober 29, 2009 at 8:28 PM

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

    Those grits look great;)

    ReplyDelete
  25. Coleens RecipesOctober 29, 2009 at 10:19 PM

    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.

    ReplyDelete
  26. Jen @ tatertotsandjello.comOctober 30, 2009 at 12:39 AM

    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

    ReplyDelete
  27. MargueriteOctober 30, 2009 at 1:44 AM

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

    ReplyDelete
  28. NKPOctober 30, 2009 at 7:44 AM

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

    ReplyDelete
  29. gigiOctober 30, 2009 at 9:26 AM

    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.

    ReplyDelete
  30. teresaOctober 30, 2009 at 12:19 PM

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

    ReplyDelete
  31. buffalodickOctober 30, 2009 at 12:45 PM

    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!

    ReplyDelete
  32. Kathryn MagendieOctober 30, 2009 at 8:14 PM

    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!)

    ReplyDelete
  33. pamOctober 30, 2009 at 10:16 PM

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

    ReplyDelete
  34. Sam Hoffer / My Carolina KitchenOctober 31, 2009 at 6:39 AM

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

    ReplyDelete
  35. ReeniOctober 31, 2009 at 10:11 AM

    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?

    ReplyDelete
  36. JoanneNovember 1, 2009 at 1:08 AM

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

    ReplyDelete
  37. AnonymousNovember 1, 2009 at 9:10 PM

    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!

    ReplyDelete
  38. MaricrisGNovember 1, 2009 at 10:29 PM

    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.

    ReplyDelete
  39. pigpigscornerNovember 2, 2009 at 4:15 PM

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

    ReplyDelete
  40. JamieNovember 5, 2009 at 1:39 PM

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

    ReplyDelete

Thanks for stopping by, I enjoy reading your comments.

Katherine