How To Cook Polenta

Polenta cakes can be made in a number of different ways. You can grill, bake, fry or sear the cakes depending on the texture and level of fat you want in the cakes. Polenta is made from cornmeal and offers a creamy texture that is great as a side dish or as a base for serving dishes just like you would use a bed of rice. To prepare polenta, melt butter and sweat chopped shallots before adding chicken or vegetable stock until it comes to a boil. Add the polenta gradually, mixing with a wooden or plastic spoon. Reduce the flame once the polenta is combined and allow it to cook down, stirring occasionally. Once the polenta is cooked, you can put it in a pan to set until it is ready to cut into cakes and sear the cakes on both sides. In this video, Chef Fernando provides an online cooking lesson for making a tasty polenta cake. For more great cooking demonstration videos, subscribe to the LearnToCookOnline YouTube channel.

Polenta Cakes

Ingredients:
1 Tsp Shallots, chopped
1 Tbsp Whole Butter, unsalted
16 Fl. Oz Chicken Stock
3 oz Yellow Corn Meal
To Taste Salt
To Taste Pepper

Directions:
1. Sauté the shallots in the butter for about 30 seconds. Add the stock and bring to a boil.
2. Slowly add the cornmeal while stirring constantly to prevent lumps. Simmer for 30 minutes. Season with Salt and Pepper to taste.
3. Scrape the polenta into a non-aluminum dish; spread the polenta to an even thickness and refrigerate it until well chilled.
4. To serve, unmold the polenta and cut into desired shapes. Sauté or grill the polenta until warm.

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