Description
Ina Garten’s Barefoot Contessa Creamy Parmesan Polenta elevates comfort cooking with rich Italian-inspired flavors. Silky cornmeal melts into a luxurious side dish that delivers creamy indulgence perfect for complementing roasted meats or enjoying as a standalone comfort classic.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 litre (33.8 fluid ounces) chicken stock
- 170 grams (6 ounces) yellow cornmeal
- 100 grams (3.5 ounces) freshly grated Parmesan cheese
Seasonings:
- 1 tablespoon kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 2 teaspoons minced garlic (2 cloves)
Finishing Ingredients:
- 60 milliliters (2 fluid ounces) crème fraîche
- 30 grams (1 ounce) unsalted butter
Instructions
- Heat the chicken stock in a large saucepan over medium-high temperature, allowing it to reach a vigorous boil. Introduce minced garlic into the liquid, stirring to distribute the aromatic flavor evenly.
- Lower the heat to medium-low and gradually incorporate cornmeal into the simmering stock. Utilize a whisk to continuously blend, preventing any potential clumping or formation of lumpy textures.
- Transition to a wooden spoon and season the mixture with salt and black pepper. Maintain a gentle simmer, stirring frequently to ensure a smooth consistency and prevent bottom-of-pan scorching. Continue cooking for approximately 10 minutes until the polenta thickens and develops a creamy texture.
- Remove the saucepan from direct heat and fold in grated Parmesan cheese, velvety crème fraîche, and unsalted butter. Gently stir until all ingredients are fully integrated and create a luxurious, silky finish.
- Perform a final taste assessment, adjusting seasonings if necessary to enhance the overall flavor profile.
- Transfer the polenta to serving dishes immediately while piping hot. Garnish with an additional sprinkle of freshly grated Parmesan cheese to elevate the presentation and add a final touch of savory richness.
Notes
- Stone-ground cornmeal provides authentic, rustic flavor with more depth compared to processed varieties.
- Slow whisking prevents pesky lumps from developing during the cooking process.
- Continuous stirring ensures consistently smooth and creamy polenta without clumping.
- Warm liquid helps thin out overly thick polenta, maintaining perfect spoonable consistency.
- Crème fraîche adds luxurious richness and silky texture, transforming basic polenta into a gourmet side dish.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 1200mg
- Fat: 16g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Protein: 10g
- Cholesterol: 40mg