What is polenta?

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Polenta is a porridge made from corn grits that is very popular in Balkan cuisine and in Italy. You can combine this porridge with many dishes.

To prepare polenta, semolina made from coarsely ground corn kernels is added to boiling salted water and then stirred for a long time and evenly over low heat. With large portions, there is usually a brown, slightly burnt crust on the edge of the pot. This is not a sign of a failed polenta, but is valued as a flavor supplier. For easier preparation, you can now buy pre-cooked polenta gries instead of corn grits, which shortens the preparation time to a few minutes.

Different varieties of polenta

  • Before the discovery of the maize plant, people in Italy ate a dish similar to polenta made from chickpea flour or millet.
  • The polenta bianca is an almost pure white variant. To do this, the light-colored corn kernels are peeled before grinding.
  • Instead of corn flour, polenta nera contains either chestnut or buckwheat flour.
  • The ratio of water and semolina can vary, which allows a different consistency from pulpy to firm.
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Which makes the corn dish particularly tasty

  • The finished polenta can be served in very different ways. Mostly it serves as a garnish, but can also be the main ingredient.
  • Similar to dumplings, it can be combined with creamy meat dishes Sauces be served.
  • In the land of pasta the polenta with sauce can also be served as the first course.
  • As a porridge, the polenta is poured with cold milk and served with melted butter and Parmesan.
  • The sliced ​​polenta can also be cooked on the grill and seasoned as desired.

What is important when preparing polenta

  1. Choose a large enough saucepan as polenta will swell.
  2. For five servings, boil a liter of water with a teaspoon of salt.
  3. Stir 250 g of corn semolina into the boiling water.
  4. Reduce the heat.
  5. Stir the porridge regularly.
  6. The polenta is ready after about ten minutes.
  7. Refine the polenta with a little butter or spices, if you like.

You can also vary this basic recipe. Take a mix for example water and milkto cook the polenta with. The polenta becomes spicier with a little vegetable stock. After preparation, you can stir in some parmesan or a mixture of onions and garlic.

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