Author Notes: I’m an odd duck in the world of breakfast. Where others gravitate toward sweet treats like pancakes or French toast, I am a sucker for huevos rancheros, sausage/potato platters, the spicier and more tangy the better. If this is a little much spice for your breakfast, try it for dinner with a side of black beans, salsa and a fried egg on top. I’ve given you my non-traditional method for making polenta in case you want to try a different way. —Savorykitchen
Makes: 1 generous serving
Ingredients
Polenta Porridge
-
1/3
cup water
-
1
cup cooked polenta, see below
-
1/4
cup shredded cheddar
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2
tablespoons chopped pickled jalapenos (or less – to taste)
-
2
tablespoons torn cilantro
Oven-Baked Polenta
-
6
cups water, milk or broth (or a combination)
-
1
cup coarse-ground polenta meal
-
1/4
cup olive oil
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salt and pepper to taste
-
1/2
cup grated parmesan cheese, optional
-
2
ounces butter, optional
Directions
Polenta Porridge
- You will need an immersion blender (better) or whisk (ok, but more work). Use a small saucepan if you’re using the immersion blender or a small skillet if you’re using a whisk.
- Bring the water to a boil and add the polenta. Smush it around with a rubber spatula to break up the polenta Using the blender or the whisk, blend the polenta into the water until it softens and smooths out.
- Stir in the shredded cheese, jalapenos and cilantro, holding a little of each back for garnish. When the cheese has melted, pour into a bowl, top with the garnishes and eat. Add additional hot sauce if you’re like me.
Oven-Baked Polenta
- Preheat the oven to 375. Pour the liquid, polenta, olive oil and a healthy pinch of salt into a 9×13 baking dish (like a brownie pan). Using a heatproof rubber spatula stir all the ingredients together.
- Place the pan in the oven and bake for 45 minutes, stirring every 10 minutes or so. Over the cooking time, you’ll see the mixture turn from a cornmeal slurry to a smoother consistency. The oil will float across the surface until about halfway through the cooking time. BE CAREFUL, hot polenta is like lava: it’ll splash when you don’t expect it to and it will stick to you if you splash it on to yourself.
- After about 45 minutes, the polenta should be smooth and thick. if it’s too thick for your taste, whisk in a little more liquid. Whisk in the optional cheese and butter if you wish. Taste for seasoning (careful – hot stuff!) and adjust salt and pepper. Serve immediately for soft polenta or pour into a greased loaf pan to mold for slicing later.