My go-to side for dinner as of late has been mashed potatoes because 1) they are tasty and 2) they are easy to make. Mashed potatoes had to be my favorite side ever. Then I dined out one evening and had braised short ribs atop a creamy swirl of polenta and my mind was changed. I have probably had polenta once or twice before in my vegetarian life, but never really thought twice about it. But now, now that I eat things like braised short ribs, oh my, does it go well with savory meats. And it’s so easy to make. Just run down to the store, get a bag of polenta (degerminated corn meal), boil 4 cups of water and slowly add in 1 cup of polenta. Sprinkle in a bit of salt and stir constantly for 25 minutes. Melt in 2 tbsp. butter and voila! Creamy polenta at your service. I love how it bubbles up when you cook it. If you need ideas for what to top your polenta with, the Pioneer Woman has a delicious looking recipe for short ribs here.
(Pictures from The Pioneer Woman)
why would you want to stir anything for 25 minutes?
I love polenta. Especially with butter! Mmm! It also goes well with marinara and a side of broccoli.
Sounds yummy! And from the looks of it, it looks like grits, which is yummy too…but primarily eaten in the south! 🙂
Really, really don't like mash but polenta? Oh the yumness!