Mamaliga Aka Polenta Recipes

BAKED MAMALIGA, IT'S THE CORNIEST POLENTA

Steps:

• Bring the water and milk to a boil. Add the cornmeal and turn down to a simmer. Continually whisk for 4 minutes until smooth. Stir in 1/2 the cheese, the butter, 1 tablespoon of the olive oil, the fresh corn and seasoning until the cheese has melted. Grease a casserole with the remaining teaspoon of olive oil and pour in the corn mixture. Top with the remaining cheese and bake in a preheated 400 degree oven until all cheese is melted and browned on top. To serve, cut with dental floss.

HOW TO COOK BASIC POLENTA - MAMALIGA

Steps:

• Heat the water in a large pot but don't let it come to a boil (it helps against the formation of lumps). Add the salt.
• Slowly add the cornmeal while stirring or whisking (with an egg beater, not a mixer) all the time. A word of caution - be careful when the polenta starts to bubble; if the bubbles are too big, you might get burned - so turn the heat down if that happens.
• Stir: When all the cornmeal is incorporated, continue stirring or whisking shortly to ensure no lumps. Turn the heat down, place a lid on top, but leave a crack open. Stir every 3 minutes or so, but there is no need to stir all the time.
• Cook: Read the cooking instructions on the polenta packet to know how long the cornmeal needs to be cooked. I cook the polenta made with coarse cornmeal for 40 to 50 minutes and the polenta made with medium cornmeal for about 15 minutes.
• Serve immediately or leave to cool if you want to use it another way.

MAMALIGA (POLENTA) WITH FETA

Steps:

• Bring the water to a boil in a large pot.
• Then, while constantly whisking, add the corn meal in a slow stream - this will prevent lumps.
• Reduce to low heat then continue whisking the mamaliga frequently for about 30-40 minutes, till the mamaliga starts pulling away from the pot's sides.
• Add the crumbled feta and cottage cheese, sprinkle the chopped parsley on top and you are done!

MAMALIGA

Steps:

• Heat the water and add the salt.
• When the water starts to boil, pour the cornmeal all at once and start stirring with a wooden spoon.
• The cornmeal will begin to bubble soon, at which point turn the heat down, but carry on stirring to prevent the formation of lumps.
• Wet the tail end of a wooden spoon with water and insert it into the mamaliga. If it is done, this will come out clean.