Crispy Polenta with Mushroom Sauce Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What do you eat with crispy polenta? ›

Tomato-based sauces: Serve fried polenta with a rich tomato sauce, such as marinara or arrabbiata, for a classic combination. 2. Braised meats: Top fried polenta with braised meats like short ribs, beef stew, or lamb shanks. The creamy polenta complements the tender and flavorful meat.

Polenta is the perfect side, thanks to its unique texture and golden color. This recipe focuses on the rich flavors of the tomatoes themselves, which pair quite naturally with polenta.

Cooked veggies are the perfect way to add hearty texture, richness, and flavor to creamy polenta. Try pairing it with roasted broccoli, Brussels sprouts, tomatoes, butternut squash, or cauliflower, with grilled mixed vegetables or zucchini, or with sautéed mushrooms.

Polenta cakes are essentially cooked polenta that has been refrigerated until cold and firm, then cut into shape and fried. To make them you can use leftover basic, cheesy or creamy polenta you prepared for another meal or you can cook cornmeal from scratch for the purpose.

Polenta can be served with various toppings, like tomato meat sauce or a “white” sauce of sausage and mushrooms. In Abruzzo, especially in the province of Aquila during Lent, polenta is served with snail sauce or cooked in milk and served seasoned with oil, garlic and chili peppers.

You can serve this basic side dish on its own or alongside protein such as Pressure-Cooker Short Ribs, pan-seared chicken, or seafood. Here, we're sharing our favorite ways to serve polenta for dinner as well as a few creative variations on this satisfying staple.

There are different types of polenta based on the preparation of the dish: Coarse ground polenta. Finely ground polenta. Instant polenta.

Made with coarse stone-ground cornmeal, polenta is often referred to as “Italian grits.” Like grits, polenta is a hearty porridge with a grainy texture. Polenta originated in Northern Italy where it was essential to many peasant and working class families—a simple yet satisfying dish.

Polenta is high in protein and fiber, but compared to rice, pasta, or potatoes, it's much lower in calories and fat, yet still provides a source of complex carbs that are much-needed for energy. So, why not to try polenta out for your next meal?

To spice things up for the adults at home, it can be fun to finish the polenta with a sprinkle of blue cheese, spiced pine nuts, or pepitas (for texture), and a drizzle of pesto, gremolata or other green herb sauces.

What makes the best polenta? ›

A ratio of five parts liquid to one part cornmeal by volume produces polenta that's fully hydrated and cooked through, without any little raw, gritty bits. An optional presoaking step helps hydrate the cornmeal and cuts down on actual cooking time.

Anson Mills polenta, once it stiffens, is particularly well suited to this recipe for crispy rounds, though any polenta will work. The Anson Mills remains very creamy on the inside and crisps up beautifully on the surface. Make sure to cook these long enough in the oil – they should be a deep golden brown, and crispy.

Polenta is a staple of both northern and, to a lesser extent, central Italian, Swiss Italian, southern French, Slovenian, Romanian and, due to Italian migrants, Brazilian cuisine.

Heat up some olive oil in a frying pan and put the slices of polenta in, making sure they don't touch or they will stick together. Cook them for a few minutes, until they are golden brown, if you want you can add salt and pepper, then flip them and cook them until they are golden brown in the other side.

Polenta was traditionally cooked by pouring stone ground flour from a height into a large pot of salted boiling water and stirring constantly for at least one hour. Once ready, it was served on a round plate, covered with a large dishcloth to keep it warm. Farmers ate it at every meal, from breakfast to dinner.

Polenta pairs extremely well with stews, braised meats, saucy bean dishes, and roasted vegetables. It's the perfect cozy companion to all of your warm winter meals. Try it with our Chicken Cacciatore, or Slow Cooker Beef Stew!

Serve with a hearty tomato or meat sauce. Stir in plenty of cheese or sprinkle some freshly grated parmesan over the top. Especially good with sliced chorizo or peppers and onions along with the sauce. I pan-fry slices in butter and serve as a side to braised short rib.

Polenta can be cooked to be creamy and thick, or allowed to set and then sliced. Serve it instead of pasta, rice or potatoes. Use in place of breadcrumbs to coat chicken or fish when frying. Uncooked polenta makes a delicious addition or gluten-free alternative to flour in cakes, biscuits and pastries.