Description
A delicious creamy polenta dish flavored with garlic and parmesan, perfect as a side or main course.
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 cups vegetable broth
- 1 cup yellow cornmeal
- 1 cup whole milk
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup grated parmesan cheese
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon dried thyme
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes
Instructions
- Start by mincing the garlic. If you prefer a deeper, more mellow garlic flavor, sauté it in a small pan with a bit of butter or olive oil over low heat until fragrant.
- In a large saucepan or pot, bring the vegetable broth and milk to a gentle simmer over medium heat. Stir occasionally to prevent the milk from scorching.
- Once the liquid is simmering, gradually whisk in the cornmeal in a slow, steady stream. Keep whisking continuously to avoid lumps. Once incorporated, lower the heat to medium-low and continue stirring frequently.
- Polenta thickens quickly, so keep an eye on it. Stir frequently, using a wooden spoon or whisk, to maintain a smooth consistency. Let it cook for about 20–25 minutes, or until it reaches a creamy, porridge-like texture. If it becomes too thick, add a little extra warm broth or milk to loosen it up.
- Once the polenta has reached the desired consistency, stir in the sautéed garlic, butter, parmesan cheese, salt, pepper, and dried thyme. Give the polenta a taste and adjust the seasoning if needed. If you want extra cheesiness, add more parmesan.
- Spoon the creamy garlic and parmesan polenta onto plates or into bowls. Garnish with fresh parsley, extra parmesan, and a drizzle of olive oil or melted butter for an extra touch of richness.
Notes
- This dish can be made dairy-free by substituting unsweetened almond milk for whole milk.
- For a lighter version, you can use water instead of vegetable broth.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 680mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 10g
- Cholesterol: 36mg