Polenta Log with Soft Heart

I can provide you with a recipe for a delicious soft-hearted polenta log. It is a dish that can prove to be a comforting starter or a main course, with a pleasant surprise inside.

Ingredients

• 250 g of instant polenta
• 1 liter of water
• Salt to taste
• 200 g of soft cheese (such as taleggio or gorgonzola)
• 50 g of butter
• 100 g of grated cheese (such as parmesan or pecorino)
• Black pepper to taste
• Extra virgin olive oil

Preparation

1. Bring the water to a boil in a large pot and salt it to taste.
2. Slowly pour in the polenta, stirring continuously to avoid the formation of lumps.
3. Lower the heat and continue to cook following the instructions for cooking the instant polenta (usually about 5-8 minutes).
4. Add half of the butter and the grated cheese to the polenta and mix until well combined.
5. Spread out a sheet of parchment paper and pour the hot polenta onto it, spreading it with a spoon or spatula to form an approximately 1 cm-thick rectangle.
6. Let it cool for a few minutes, then evenly distribute the soft cheese in the center of the polenta, leaving the edges free.
7. With the help of the parchment paper, gently roll the polenta onto itself, starting from the long side, to form a log that incorporates the cheese inside.
8. Melt the remaining butter and brush the polenta log with the melted butter. Add a sprinkle of black pepper.
9. Put the log in a baking dish and bake in a preheated oven at 200 °C for about 20 minutes, until the surface becomes slightly golden and crispy.
10. Take the polenta log out of the oven, let it cool for a few minutes, then slice it before serving.

Curiosity

Polenta is a very versatile dish and traditionally widespread in Northern Italy. Its use in cooking is extremely varied, from simple preparations cooked in water and seasoned with butter and cheese, to more elaborate recipes as in this case. The soft cheese heart makes this dish particularly appreciated on colder days, offering comfort and flavor with each bite.