Polenta Soup Recipes

POLENTA AND SPINACH SOUP

Steps:

• Heat 1/4 cup oil and the garlic in a medium saucepan over medium heat until garlic is fragrant, about 1 minute.
• Add 6 cups water; bring to a boil. Whisking constantly, add cornmeal in a slow, steady stream. Reduce heat to medium; cook, stirring occasionally, until soup has thickened slightly, about 8 minutes. Add cheese and 1/4 cup oil; cook, stirring, until oil is incorporated, about 1 minute. Stir in spinach and salt; cook, stirring, until spinach is bright green and wilted, about 1 minute more.
• Divide soup among four bowls; drizzle each serving with 1 teaspoon oil. Season soup with pepper, and serve with lemon wedges.

POLENTA SOUP

Steps:

• Chop the onion and mince the garlic. Core and finely chop the tomatoes, reserving the juices.
• Heat oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add onion and saute 2 to 3 minutes.
• Add the garlic, tomatoes, reserved juices, stock, corn and chiles. Bring liquid to a simmer, then cover the pot and cook gently over low heat for 15 minutes.
• Meanwhile rinse and mince the cilantro (or parsley).
• While whisking constantly, slowly drizzle the cornmeal into the simmering soup. Simmer gently, uncovered, until thickened, about 10 minutes. Make sure you occasionally stir the bottom of the pot to prevent the cornmeal from sticking.
• Season soup to taste.
• Right before serving, add lemon or lime juice, cilantro, and cheese (if you are using it.

POLENTA SOUP

Steps:

• Heat the oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add the onion and saute for about 3 minutes. Add the garlic, tomatoes, broth, corn and chilies. Bring the liquid to a simmer then cover the pan and cook gently over low heat for 15 minutes. Meanwhile rinse and mince the cilantro.
• While whisking constantly, slowly drizzle the cornmeal into the simmering soup, Simmer gently uncovered until thickened, about 10 minutes. Stir the bottom on occasion to make sure the cornmeal isn't sticking.
• Season the soup to taste with salt and pepper. Right before serving stir in the lime juice. Portion out and garnish if you wish with cheddar cheese, cilantro and chopped green bell pepper.
• VARIATION -You can enrich it with cubed smoked ham or roasted pork

HOW TO MAKE PERFECT POLENTA

Steps:

• Bring water and salt to a boil in a large saucepan; pour polenta slowly into boiling water, whisking constantly until all polenta is stirred in and there are no lumps.
• Reduce heat to low and simmer, whisking often, until polenta starts to thicken, about 5 minutes. Polenta mixture should still be slightly loose. Cover and cook for 30 minutes, whisking every 5 to 6 minutes. When polenta is too thick to whisk, stir with a wooden spoon. Polenta is done when texture is creamy and the individual grains are tender.
• Turn off heat and gently stir 2 tablespoons butter into polenta until butter partially melts; mix 1/2 cup Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese into polenta until cheese has melted. Cover and let stand 5 minutes to thicken; stir and taste for salt before transferring to a serving bowl. Top polenta with remaining 1 tablespoon butter and about 1 tablespoon freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese for garnish.

POLENTA

Steps:

• Bring water to a boil. Reduce to a simmer. Pour in polenta steadily, stirring constantly. Continue to stir until polenta is thickened. It should come away from sides of the pan, and be able to support a spoon. This can take anywhere from 20 to 50 minutes. Pour polenta onto a wooden cutting board, let stand for a few minutes.