Whole Foods Lifestyle For discussion of whole foods and more natural diets.

Reply
 
Thread Tools
Old 09-20-2007, 11:50 AM   #1  
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
srmb60's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Ontario's West Coast
Posts: 13,969

S/C/G: 165/147/128

Height: 5'3"

Default A Polenta Thread?

I'm going to try making polenta today. For the next few days I'll try different ways of preparing and eating it.

Do you make or eat polenta? Do you have recipes or serving suggestions?
srmb60 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-20-2007, 12:21 PM   #2  
breakfast rebel
 
Spinymouse's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: CA
Posts: 962

Height: 5' 4.5"

Default

OOOH. Susan - I'm in on this polenta experiment with you.
You just gave me an idea.
I was thinking about tamales. I was thinking about tamales right when I read your post with the word "polenta" and a part of an imaginary head-lightbulb lit up.
Polenta is Italian, and Tamales are Latin American, but they have that similar flavor, and polenta is made with a lot less fat. But why should polenta be reserved for Italian flavors? I am now thinking a Mexican themed sauce over a corn-based thing that is made more like polenta than like a tamale.
I'd be happy to compare kitchen lab books with you!
jo
Spinymouse is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-20-2007, 12:31 PM   #3  
Just Me
 
nelie's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Maryland
Posts: 14,707

S/C/G: 364/--/182

Height: 5'6"

Default

I made polenta last night. I baked it in the oven and then covered with an homemade italian sauce.
nelie is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-20-2007, 12:52 PM   #4  
Senior Member
 
baffled111's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Washington State
Posts: 1,986

S/C/G: 209/209/160

Height: 5'9

Default

One of my favorite super-diet meals (practically no calories) is a giant veggie ratatouille served over polenta. I don't remember exactly how I made the polenta; I think I cooked it stove-top and then let it set in a brownie pan, and maybe baked it. It's a delicious dinner.
baffled111 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-21-2007, 08:52 AM   #5  
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
srmb60's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Ontario's West Coast
Posts: 13,969

S/C/G: 165/147/128

Height: 5'3"

Default

I made mine stovetop. It got very thick. Ds#2 (20 yo) stirred it for the last few minutes. I need to get a big wooden spoon and a stepstool!
I patted it into an 8x10 container. In just a few minutes of cooling it was a nice firm texture.
I fried it in a nonstick pan with a bit of olive oil. I enjoyed it plain but agree with my fella's that some sauce would be good.
srmb60 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-21-2007, 09:33 AM   #6  
Just Me
 
nelie's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Maryland
Posts: 14,707

S/C/G: 364/--/182

Height: 5'6"

Default

How do you make polenta yourself? I bought mine from Trader Joe's already prepared.
nelie is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-21-2007, 09:49 AM   #7  
Finding My Bliss
 
SoulBliss's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2007
Location: California
Posts: 2,916

S/C/G: Fit & Fat!

Height: Tall & Strong, Baby!

Default

I make Indian, Mexican, Thai and Italian polenta. I also have experimented with other flavor blends but the above worked well and were nutritious.

Indian: Curry spices, onions, garlic (or/and asafoetida), fresh cilantro, chickpeas

Mexican: Black beans, pinto beans, corn, green chilies, zucchini, garlic, onions, green onions, vegan cheese then I top it with salsa

Thai: Cilantro, coriander, THAI (not Indian) green or red curry spice, garlic, onions, carrots, coconut milk

Italian: White beans, garlic, onions, tomatoes, basil then I top it with marinara sauce

I add lots of other veggies and spices to the above when I have them.
SoulBliss is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-21-2007, 10:19 AM   #8  
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
srmb60's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Ontario's West Coast
Posts: 13,969

S/C/G: 165/147/128

Height: 5'3"

Default

As with almost everything I think of these days ... I googled.

I poured cornmeal slooooowly into boiling water and stirred and stirred and stirred. There are fancier recipes but I wanted low fat. Sometime after I see how long it takes to eat this batch, I may try egg whites in it somehow and look for different cornmeals.

Like Soulblisss indicates, the possibilities are almost endless.
srmb60 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-21-2007, 10:24 AM   #9  
Just Me
 
nelie's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Maryland
Posts: 14,707

S/C/G: 364/--/182

Height: 5'6"

Default

I found something interesting...
http://italianfood.about.com/od/pole...aa030498_2.htm

It mentions that you can crockpot it and avoid the stirring...

Here is also a recipe for polenta using chickpea flour..

http://italianfood.about.com/od/primivari/r/blr0687.htm

Last edited by nelie; 09-21-2007 at 10:31 AM.
nelie is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-21-2007, 10:31 AM   #10  
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
srmb60's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Ontario's West Coast
Posts: 13,969

S/C/G: 165/147/128

Height: 5'3"

Default

In the winter when the house is cooler, I think it'd be great to make smaller batches of flavoured polenta in the oven. I often have it on for meat or sweetpotatoes or a casserole anyway.
srmb60 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-21-2007, 02:54 PM   #11  
Working My Way Back Down
 
WaterRat's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Alaska
Posts: 4,982

Default

Hmmm, Nelie, I'd be skeptical of the no-stir method. I've found tha cornmeal always needs stirring. Susan, don't be afraid to add more hot water to thin it a little. It'll still firm up as it cools. My very favorite cornmeal dish is spoonbread, but it involves a lot of eggs and butter My DH will eat cooked cornmeal, thinner than for polenta, as a hot cereal. Of course, he adds molasses or maple syrup.....
WaterRat is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-21-2007, 04:47 PM   #12  
Senior Member
 
Glory87's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2005
Location: San Diego
Posts: 6,192

S/C/G: 190/140/135

Height: 5'7"

Default

Looove polenta - I make it with a spicy chicken sausage tomato sauce.
Glory87 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-21-2007, 05:06 PM   #13  
Senior Member
 
alinnell's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Southern California
Posts: 10,823

S/C/G: 173/in progress/140ish

Height: 5'8"

Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Glory87 View Post
Looove polenta - I make it with a spicy chicken sausage tomato sauce.
See? I said it needs a sauce!!! This sounds very yummy and a great alternative to pasta.
alinnell is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-21-2007, 05:17 PM   #14  
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
srmb60's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Ontario's West Coast
Posts: 13,969

S/C/G: 165/147/128

Height: 5'3"

Default

AHA! Tonight? turkey sausage, tomato stuff and polenta!

The tomato stuff? onion, garlic, peppers, yellow squash in cubes. When in doubt start with onions peppers and garlic
srmb60 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-21-2007, 05:35 PM   #15  
Senior Member
 
vealcalf2000's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2007
Posts: 513

S/C/G: 251/190/175

Height: 5'10

Default

Oh I really like Polenta. I usually make mine like Cornmeal Mush. We'd slice it up, fry in a wee bit of butter or olive oil then top with maple syrup. Ok not the healthiest w/the butter and syrup but if I'd make it now I'd probably use the lite kind. I've always wanted to try it w/the marinara etc. but DH is not a Polenta fan so I hate to just make for myself. I may in the future though just make a smaller batch. Thanks for starting this thread!
vealcalf2000 is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply


Thread Tools

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off



All times are GMT -4. The time now is 08:37 PM.


We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.
Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.