Creamy Herb Polenta

At its core, polenta is a dish made from boiled cornmeal, a staple that traces its origins to Northern Italy. Traditionally, polenta was a peasant food, embodying the country's resourcefulness in turning humble ingredients into satisfying meals. Today, polenta is celebrated for its versatility, serving as a base for countless culinary creations.

Discover the delicious world of creamy herb polenta, a versatile dish that transforms simple ingredients into a culinary masterpiece. This silky smooth delight combines coarse cornmeal, rich heavy cream, and fresh herbs for a comforting texture and flavor. Perfect as a base for grilled veggies or succulent meats, creamy herb polenta is a fantastic choice for year-round meals. Join us as we explore the ingredients, techniques, and serving suggestions that make this dish an absolute favorite in any kitchen.

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Ingredients

1 cup coarse cornmeal (polenta)

4 cups vegetable broth (or water)

1 cup heavy cream

½ cup grated Parmesan cheese

2 tablespoons unsalted butter

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 tablespoon fresh thyme, chopped (or 1 tsp dried thyme)

1 tablespoon fresh rosemary, chopped (or 1 tsp dried rosemary)

Salt and black pepper to taste

Fresh chives, for garnish

Instructions

In a large pot, bring the vegetable broth (or water) to a gentle boil over medium heat.

While whisking continuously, slowly pour in the cornmeal. This will help prevent lumps from forming.

Reduce the heat to low and continue to stir the polenta for about 15-20 minutes, or until it thickens and begins to pull away from the sides of the pot.

In a small saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté for about 1-2 minutes, until fragrant but not browned.

Stir in the heavy cream, then add the fresh thyme and rosemary. Let the mixture simmer gently for 2-3 minutes.

Once the polenta is thick, remove it from the heat and stir in the cream mixture, grated Parmesan cheese, salt, and black pepper. Mix until everything is well incorporated and creamy.

Taste and adjust seasoning, adding more salt or pepper if needed.

Serve immediately, spooning the creamy polenta onto plates and garnishing with chopped fresh chives.

Prep Time, Total Time, Servings: 10 minutes | 30 minutes | 4 servings