Fresh Corn Polenta Recipes

CREAMY CORN POLENTA

Steps:

• Bring the broth, 2 1/2 cups water, butter and 1 teaspoon salt to a boil in a heavy, large saucepan over high heat. Gradually whisk in the polenta. Continue to whisk until the polenta begins to thicken, 2 to 3 minutes. Reduce the heat to low. Cover and cook until the polenta is very thick and tender, stirring often with a flat-bottom spoon or heatproof rubber spatula to prevent sticking or burning, about 20 minutes. Blend the corn in a mini processor until a coarse puree forms. Stir the corn puree into the polenta. Season with more salt if desired.

CORN POLENTA WITH BAKED EGGS

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350 degrees. In an ovenproof skillet over medium heat, melt butter. (If you like, you can let it bubble and turn brown, about 5 minutes.)
• Stir in the corn kernels (frozen, fresh, canned, or leave the corn out entirely). Let sizzle for a few minutes, then add broth, polenta and kosher salt. Whisk until the mixture bubbles and thickens slightly, about 5 minutes.
• At this point, add a handful of chopped herbs and a couple of sliced scallions or a shallot, if using. Add the greens, if using. Stir in cheese, if using. Stir in sliced olives or roasted red peppers or marinated artichokes, if using.
• Cover the pan. (Aluminum foil or a pasta pot lid will work if you don't have a covered skillet.) Bake for 20 minutes, then uncover and give it all a good stir with a whisk. Cover once more, and bake for another 15 to 25 minutes, until the liquid is absorbed and the polenta is tender.
• Add eggs: Use a spoon to make 4 to 6 divots in the polenta, and crack an egg in each. Return the pan to the oven and bake uncovered for another 5 to 10 minutes, until the eggs are cooked to taste. You can run it under the broiler for a few seconds to set the jiggly whites, but it's risky because you might overcook the yolks.
• Crack lots of pepper on top, sprinkle with flaky sea salt, and strew with herbs and maybe more cheese before serving. Serve alongside a green salad.

MENDOZA'S FRESH CORN POLENTA

Steps:

• Husk corn and remove silk. Grate corn kernels on the fine side of a box grater. Set aside.
• Place olive oil and butter in a large skillet over medium heat; heat until bubbling. Add onion and cook, stirring, until soft, about 5 minutes. Add garlic and cook, stirring, about 40 seconds. Add tomato and cook, stirring, until soft, about 5 minutes more.
• Add peppers and basil and continue cooking for 1 to 2 minutes. Stir in corn and milk; season with salt. Cook, stirring occasionally, until thick and creamy, about 30 minutes. Serve immediately.

POLENTA WITH FRESH CORN

Steps:

• Bring the water to a boil in a pot. Slowly whisk in the polenta and a pinch of salt. Turn the heat down as low as it will go and put a lid on the pot, slightly ajar, and cook the polenta for about 40 minutes, stirring every 5-10 minutes.
• Add the corn, milk and cream and cook another 5 minutes.
• Season with salt and pepper, to taste, and sprinkle the chives on top.

POLENTA WITH FRESH CORN

Steps:

• Pour 2 cups water into a medium saucepan. Add the salt, corn kernels, and milk. Set over high heat, and bring to a boil. In a steady stream, slowly pour in the polenta, stirring constantly.
• Reduce heat to low, and simmer, stirring often, until polenta is very thick, 4 to 6 minutes. Stir in the butter and pepper. Serve warm.

CREAMY CORN POLENTA

Steps:

• In a large pot add milk and cream along with thyme and garlic. Bring to a simmer then shut off the heat to let the milk and cream steep. Let it steep for at least 30 minutes. Once steeped, strain the milk mixture and discard the thyme and garlic. Bring the milk and cream mixture back up to a simmer and gradually pour in the cornmeal in a slow, steady stream, whisking constantly. Once the milk is completely absorbed, lower the heat and set a timer for 20 minutes. Continue cooking, whisking often, until the timer goes off, add chicken stock if the mixture is too thick (it should be like creamy mashed potatoes). Once the timer goes off the polenta should be thick and smooth. Finish with butter, grated Parmigiano and salt and pepper.

POLENTA WITH FRESH CORN AND SAGE

Steps:

• Bring stock to a simmer in a heavy saucepan. Add cornmeal slowly in thin stream, stirring constantly.
• Cook, stirring, for about five minutes, then fold in the remaining ingredients. Cook 5 to 10 minutes longer, until the mixture has thickened but is not stiff. Serve at once.

POLENTA WITH FRESH CORN

Steps:

• In a heavy-bottomed pot, heat 4 cups water to boiling. Add the salt and whisk in the polenta, adding it in a steady thin stream. Turn down the heat and stir constantly until the polenta has thickened evenly. Cook at a bare simmer, stirring occasionally, for about 1 hour, until the polenta appears glossy and creamy. If the polenta gets too thick while cooking, add water to keep it a smooth, creamy consistency.
• While the polenta cooks, prepare the fresh corn. Husk the corn and pull off the cornsilk; rub the ears with a clean dish towel to remove any remaining cornsilk. Cut the kernels from the cobs as directed on page 89. Heat a sauté pan over medium heat and add 2 tablespoons of the butter. When the butter has melted, add the corn and cook for about 5 minutes, until the kernels appear translucent; take care not to let it brown.
• When the polenta is cooked, turn off the heat and stir in the cooked corn and remaining 1 tablespoon butter. Cover the pot to keep the polenta warm until ready to serve, or spread it out on a rimmed baking sheet or pan to cool and set up.

CHEF JOHN'S THREE CORN POLENTA

Steps:

• Melt 1 teaspoon butter and olive oil in a saucepan over medium-low heat. Cook and stir 2/3 of the corn, with a pinch of salt and a pinch of cayenne pepper in the hot butter and oil until the corn is fragrant and golden, about 10 minutes. Add garlic; cook and stir until fragrant, about 30 seconds.
• Pour 2 cups water into corn mixture; bring to a simmer and whisk polenta into mixture. Bring to a simmer again, reduce heat to low, and simmer, stirring occasionally, until mixture is thick and polenta absorbs the water, 20 minutes. Add remaining 1/2 cup water and stir; cook for until water is completely absorbed, about 10 minutes more.
• Stir remaining corn and 1 teaspoon butter into polenta mixture. Remove from heat, cover the pot, and let sit for 5 minutes before serving.

CREAMY CORN-STUDDED POLENTA

Steps:

• Bring broth, cream, and salt to boil in medium saucepan. Gradually whisk in polenta; reduce heat to medium-low and simmer 10 minutes, stirring often. Add corn; increase heat and bring to boil. Reduce heat to medium-low; cook until polenta is soft, thick, and creamy, stirring often, about 15 minutes. Stir in butter and season to taste with salt and pepper. Serve hot.

CREAMY POLENTA WITH ROASTED CORN AND FRESH SAGE

Steps:

• Grill corn in the husks, or roast in the oven; cut kernels from cob.
• In a heavy 4-quart saucepan, heat oil over medium heat. Stir in garlic and onions; reduce heat to low and cook until onions are translucent, about 5 minutes.
• Stir in water and milk and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Slowly stir in cornmeal, whisking thoroughly. Reduce heat to low and simmer for 30 minutes, stirring often to prevent sticking and burning. Season with salt and pepper; simmer 15 minutes more.
• When mixture is thick and the cornmeal is tender, stir in corn, sage and Parmesan cheese. Transfer to a large bowl to serve.