Our Best Ideas for Polenta
Polenta has its roots in ancient times. When corn arrived in Italy from the Americas in the 16th century, it began to take the place of earlier grains, and the comfort food we know today started to take shape. From simple side dishes to decadent main courses that your entire family will gobble up, there are so many ways to make a filling meal with polenta. It can serve as a neutral base for things like short ribs or meatballs, and there are plenty of ways to cook it in your slow cooker or Instant Pot. For instance, polenta bramata (which refers to the coarseness of the grind on the cornmeal) should be cooked low and slow for a long period of time to let the grains absorb the liquid. This recipe from Scott Conant cooks the cornmeal in a mixture of cream and milk before letting it simmer over a low heat until it reaches the perfect texture. You can prepare it as a one-pot meal or transfer it to a slow cooker to make things even simpler.