Basic Polenta

Recipe courtesy Giada De Laurentiis

Show: Everyday ItalianEpisode: Lavish Leftovers

Rated: 4 stars out of 5Rate itRead users' reviews (19)

RECIPE
COMMENTS & REVIEWS(19)

Cook Time:
25 min
Level:
Easy
Yield:
6 servings

Times:

Prep: 5 min
Inactive Prep: --
Cook: 25 min
Total:: 30 min

Recipe Tools:

Select a Card Size

Add To My Recipe Box

Success

This recipe was added to your Folder_Name folder.

Do not show this message again

Add To My Recipe Box

Please sign in to add this recipe to your Recipe Box.

Ingredients

6 cups water
2 teaspoons salt
1 3/4 cups yellow cornmeal
3 tablespoons unsalted butter

Directions

Bring 6 cups of water to a boil in a heavy large saucepan. Add 2 teaspoons of salt. Gradually whisk in the cornmeal. Reduce the heat to low and cook until the mixture thickens and the cornmeal is tender, stirring often, about 15 minutes. Turn off the heat. Add the butter, and stir until melted.

Next Recipe

More recipes? Try these recommendations:

Similar Recipe

Savory Polenta

Photo: Basic Polenta

Similar Recipes

Recipes Like This

All About…

Recipe Collections

Showing 1-10 of 18

View all 18 Italian Collections

Comments & Reviews

recipe Basic Polenta
Wendy Palmdale, CA 06-13-2009
Flag

Exactly What Expected
Rated: 5 stars out of 5

Having never tried polenta before but seeing it a bit on this food channel I decided to try it out. After much research I... went with this recipe as my first attempt and it turned out perfect. I took the advice of other reviewers here and made it to complement a complex-flavored main dish. This recipe makes quite a bit. For my family of four we had this two nights in a row with still left-overs. I grilled it both times, but gotta say that having it in the fridge for a full 24 hours and then slicing it to grill it made the 2nd day's helpings MUCH tastier and easier to grill.Read more
recipe Basic Polenta
B L The Colony, TX 06-03-2009
Flag

Corn meal much
Rated: 5 stars out of 5

This is the same as your basic cornmeal mush. I used salted butter as I didn't have any unsalted. The flavor was just as I... remember my grandmother making. I've put it in the refrigerator to thicken and will be using it with the recipe Grilled Polenta with Shrimp & Escarole. the polenta is very good hot and I'm sure will be excellent with the dish I am preparing. Many years ago (when I was young) it was a basic breakfast cereal that we would put any leftovers in a loaf pan (coated with oil for ease of removing) and then slice and fry for dinner. Wonderful dish for kids and full of great memories for adults.Read more
recipe Basic Polenta
tania miami, FL 08-09-2007
Flag

easy basic recipe
Rated: 5 stars out of 5

This is an easy, basic polenta. I used 1/2 water and 1/2 skim milk for extra creamy texture. My usual recipe uses 1/2 and 1/2... and alot of parm cheese. THis is much better for my waistline.Read more
recipe Basic Polenta
Anonymous 05-29-2007
Flag

Basic polenta
Rated: 3 stars out of 5

The taste was good, but make this dish with something that has a lot of flavor.
recipe Basic Polenta
DANA Ridgecrest, CA 05-17-2007
Flag

Delicious and Creamy!
Rated: 5 stars out of 5

Who knew making polenta from scratch was so easy?! This recipe cooks up a batch of creamy polenta that I will in any recipe... calling for polenta (instead of buying a tube at the store) from here on out! The quality, taste and texture is wonderful!Read more
recipe Basic Polenta
DAVID Denver, CO 05-17-2007
Flag

can be better
Rated: 3 stars out of 5

I agree with one reviewer who finds basic polenta bland. Maybe this recipe is ok if you know you're going to chill it, bake... it off, and smother it in something flavorful. I make it more flavorful by using chicken stock instead of water, adding a little finely chopped garlic and 1/2 cup parm or more if you like cheese. I also if it still seems a little stiff I add some heavy cream at the end.Read more