Herb and Tomato Polenta

  5.0 – 6 reviews  • Grain Recipes
Level: Easy
Total: 45 min
Active: 45 min
Yield: 4 to 6 servings
Level: Easy
Total: 45 min
Active: 45 min
Yield: 4 to 6 servings

Ingredients

  1. 1 tablespoon olive oil, plus more for drizzling
  2. 1 pint grape tomatoes
  3. 1 clove garlic, thinly sliced
  4. Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
  5. 1/2 cup grated Parmesan
  6. 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  7. Cooked Polenta, recipe follows
  8. 1/4 to 1/2 cup milk, as needed
  9. Zest of 1 lemon
  10. 4 to 6 leaves fresh basil, torn
  11. Pinch of baking soda
  12. Kosher salt
  13. 1 1/2 cups medium-grind stone-ground cornmeal

Instructions

  1. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the olive oil and tomatoes. Cook the tomatoes, stirring occasionally, until they start to blister and release some of their juices, 8 to 10 minutes. Toss in the garlic and season generously with salt and pepper. Cook another 1 minute, then remove from the heat.
  2. In a saucepan over low heat, stir the Parmesan and butter into the Cooked Polenta, thinning with milk as desired. Turn off the heat, stir in the lemon zest, taste for seasoning and add salt if necessary.
  3. Transfer the polenta to a serving bowl. Use a spoon to create a shallow well and top with the tomatoes, torn basil, some black pepper and a drizzle of olive oil.
  4. Bring 6 cups of water to a rolling boil in a heavy-bottomed 4-quart saucepan over medium-high heat. Reduce the heat to the lowest possible setting, add the baking soda and 1 1/2 teaspoons salt and pour the cornmeal into the water in a very slow stream from a measuring cup, all the while whisking in a circular motion to prevent lumps.
  5. Cook, vigorously stirring the polenta with a wooden spoon for about 10 seconds once every 5 minutes and making sure to scrape clean the bottom and corners of the pot, until the polenta has lost its raw cornmeal taste and becomes soft and smooth, about 30 minutes. If the polenta looks like it’s drying out too quickly, continue cooking with the lid on. Cooked Polenta recipe courtesy of Jeff Mauro.

Nutrition Facts

Serving Size 1 of 6 servings
Calories 236
Total Fat 11 g
Saturated Fat 5 g
Carbohydrates 28 g
Dietary Fiber 3 g
Sugar 3 g
Protein 8 g
Cholesterol 20 mg
Sodium 293 mg
Serving Size 1 of 6 servings
Calories 236
Total Fat 11 g
Saturated Fat 5 g
Carbohydrates 28 g
Dietary Fiber 3 g
Sugar 3 g
Protein 8 g
Cholesterol 20 mg
Sodium 293 mg

Reviews

Stephen Reeves
This is so yummy. I agree that the lemon zest does amazing things. I just love polenta. Such a great comfort food.
Annette Weaver
Mmmmmmm! The lemon makes it! I have made this so many times and it is so easy and delicious. Warm and filling and cheesy and yummy.
Patricia Wilson
This is delicious!
I’ve made it many times for guests and it’s a total winner!!
Ashley Yang
i also tried this after seeing it made on The Kitchen… absolutely delicious and perfect accompaniment

to roasted chicken or fish
Joshua Hanson
Very tasty and comforting dish. For some reason I’ve never made polenta before, but when I saw Katie Lee make it on The Kitchen I knew this was the recipe for me. Worked great; thank you 🙂

 

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