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Polenta al forno

07/12/2023

I can provide you with a recipe to prepare a delicious baked polenta. This dish is a tasty and comforting variant of traditional Italian polenta. The recipe I propose involves using polenta that has already been cooked and is then enriched and gratinated in the oven. Here’s how to prepare it:

Ingredients

  • 250 g of instant polenta (or leftover polenta, if available)
  • 1 liter of water
  • Salt (to taste)
  • 50 g of butter
  • 100 g of grated Parmesan cheese
  • 150 g of Taleggio or Fontina cheese, cut into cubes
  • 100 g of Gorgonzola, diced (optional)
  • About 100 ml of milk (optional, to make the polenta softer)
  • Black pepper, to taste (optional)
  • Aromatic herbs such as thyme or rosemary, to flavor (optional)

Preparation

  1. Prepare the polenta according to the instructions on the package. Typically, bring salted water to a boil, then sprinkle in the polenta, stirring constantly to prevent lumps from forming. Continue cooking for the indicated time, until it reaches a soft and creamy consistency.
  2. Once the polenta is cooked, add the butter and half of the grated Parmesan, mixing until well combined.
  3. If you desire a creamier consistency, gradually add warm milk while stirring.
  4. Take a baking dish and grease the bottom with some butter or oil. Pour half the polenta into the dish.
  5. Evenly distribute the cubes of Taleggio (or Fontina) and Gorgonzola, if using, over the polenta in the dish.
  6. Cover with the rest of the polenta and sprinkle with the remaining Parmesan, some black pepper, and aromatic herbs if you’re using them.
  7. Bake in a preheated oven at 200 °C for about 20 minutes or until the surface is golden and crisp.
  8. Remove from the oven and let it rest for a few minutes before serving.

Curiosity

Baked polenta can be customized in many ways. For example, some variants include layers of cured meats, like pancetta or speck, or added sautéed mushrooms or tomato and basil sauce to bring flavor and moisture to the preparation. It is a very versatile dish that welcomes the most diverse combinations according to personal taste or seasonal availability.

Polenta al forno