Polenta is basically cornmeal mush, and it can be made with any kind of cornmeal, ground coarse, medium or fine. (You don’t need bags marked “polenta.”) As with most ingredients, though, the better the cornmeal you start with, the better your result in the kitchen. The trick is cooking the polenta for a sufficient amount of time. You must allow the cornmeal to swell and become fully cooked. That way, you emphasize the sweet corn flavor and don’t end up with something bitter and
lame. Yes, it takes a long time. But it’s worth it — and you can fry the leftovers tomorrow night in a snap.
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: Cornmeal, Easy, Italian, Vegetarian, Winter