Italian Recipes


google search for Italian Recipes

Return to Master Book Index.

Page
5 6 7 8 9

Quick Jump
1 8 15 23 30

Basic Polenta  
9
Cups Water  
1
3
Teaspoon Salt  
Cups Cornmeal; coarse−grain  
Bring water to a boil in a large heavy pot. Add salt and reduce heat until  
water is simmering. Take cornmeal by the handful and add to water very  
slowly, controlling the flow to a thin stream through your fingers. To avoid  
lumps, stir quickly with a long handled wooden spoon while adding cornmeal.  
If necessary, stop adding cornmeal from time to time and beat mixture  
vigorously. Cook, stirring constantly, 20 to 30 minutes. Polenta will become  
very thick while cooking. It is done when it comes away cleanly from the  
sides of the pot. Pour polenta into a large wooden board or a large platter.  
Wet your hands and smooth out polenta evenly, about 2 inches thick. Let cool  
5
1
to 10 minutes or until polenta solidifies. Cut cooled polenta into slices  
inch wide and 6 inches long. Place slices in individual dishes. Serve hot,  
covered with your favorite sauce. Makes 6 to 8 servings.  
Variation: Fried Polenta (Polenta Fritta): Prepare polenta and let cool  
completely. Cut cooled polenta into slices 2 inches wide and 6 inches long.  
Pour oil about 1 inch deep in a large skillet. Heat oil until a 1−inch cube  
of bread turns golden almost immediately. Fry polenta slices on both sides  
until light golden. Drain on paper towels. Serve hot. It is importent to  
insure the oil is hot enough, otherwise the polenta will absorb oil and your  
polenta will be greasy and unpalatable.  
Basic Polenta  
4


Page
5 6 7 8 9

Quick Jump
1 8 15 23 30