Polentasoup Recipes

RUSTIC VEGETABLE AND POLENTA SOUP

Steps:

• In a large heavy saucepan, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the carrots, onions, 1 tablespoon salt and 1 teaspoon pepper. Cook, stirring frequently, until the onion begins to brown, about 6 minutes.
• Add the parsley, thyme, garlic, tomatoes and zucchini, and cook for 3 minutes. Add the chicken broth and bring to a boil. Slowly stir in the polenta and cook until the soup thickens and the vegetables are tender, about 8 minutes.
• Stir in the butter and season with salt and pepper.
• Ladle into soup bowls and serve.

HOW TO MAKE PERFECT POLENTA

Steps:

• Bring water and salt to a boil in a large saucepan; pour polenta slowly into boiling water, whisking constantly until all polenta is stirred in and there are no lumps.
• Reduce heat to low and simmer, whisking often, until polenta starts to thicken, about 5 minutes. Polenta mixture should still be slightly loose. Cover and cook for 30 minutes, whisking every 5 to 6 minutes. When polenta is too thick to whisk, stir with a wooden spoon. Polenta is done when texture is creamy and the individual grains are tender.
• Turn off heat and gently stir 2 tablespoons butter into polenta until butter partially melts; mix 1/2 cup Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese into polenta until cheese has melted. Cover and let stand 5 minutes to thicken; stir and taste for salt before transferring to a serving bowl. Top polenta with remaining 1 tablespoon butter and about 1 tablespoon freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese for garnish.

POLENTA SOUP

Steps:

• Chop the onion and mince the garlic. Core and finely chop the tomatoes, reserving the juices.
• Heat oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add onion and saute 2 to 3 minutes.
• Add the garlic, tomatoes, reserved juices, stock, corn and chiles. Bring liquid to a simmer, then cover the pot and cook gently over low heat for 15 minutes.
• Meanwhile rinse and mince the cilantro (or parsley).
• While whisking constantly, slowly drizzle the cornmeal into the simmering soup. Simmer gently, uncovered, until thickened, about 10 minutes. Make sure you occasionally stir the bottom of the pot to prevent the cornmeal from sticking.
• Season soup to taste.
• Right before serving, add lemon or lime juice, cilantro, and cheese (if you are using it.

POLENTA SOUP

Steps:

• Heat the oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add the onion and saute for about 3 minutes. Add the garlic, tomatoes, broth, corn and chilies. Bring the liquid to a simmer then cover the pan and cook gently over low heat for 15 minutes. Meanwhile rinse and mince the cilantro.
• While whisking constantly, slowly drizzle the cornmeal into the simmering soup, Simmer gently uncovered until thickened, about 10 minutes. Stir the bottom on occasion to make sure the cornmeal isn't sticking.
• Season the soup to taste with salt and pepper. Right before serving stir in the lime juice. Portion out and garnish if you wish with cheddar cheese, cilantro and chopped green bell pepper.
• VARIATION -You can enrich it with cubed smoked ham or roasted pork

POLENTA AND SPINACH SOUP

Steps:

• Heat 1/4 cup oil and the garlic in a medium saucepan over medium heat until garlic is fragrant, about 1 minute.
• Add 6 cups water; bring to a boil. Whisking constantly, add cornmeal in a slow, steady stream. Reduce heat to medium; cook, stirring occasionally, until soup has thickened slightly, about 8 minutes. Add cheese and 1/4 cup oil; cook, stirring, until oil is incorporated, about 1 minute. Stir in spinach and salt; cook, stirring, until spinach is bright green and wilted, about 1 minute more.
• Divide soup among four bowls; drizzle each serving with 1 teaspoon oil. Season soup with pepper, and serve with lemon wedges.

CREAMY POLENTA SOUP WITH SPINACH (PAPAROT)

Steps:

• 1. Tip: For a smooth and velvety soup like Lydia's, I pulsed my cornmeal in my food processor for about 20 seconds before starting the recipe. First, whisk the polenta and flour in a saucepan.
• 2. Starting with 1 cup of broth, whisk the broth and polenta-flour mixture and remove any lumps. Add the butter and salt and stir.
• 3. Continue adding broth while whisking and place on medium-high heat to bring to a boil. Lower to medium heat and simmer soup for 25 minutes. Stir gently.
• 4. Add spinach to soup and stir. Continue cooking on medium-low heat for 10 minutes. If using, serve with grated parmesan cheese and a drizzle of olive oil. Enjoy.

SLOW-COOKER POLENTA

Steps:

• In a 6-qt. slow cooker, combine 12 cups broth, cornmeal, onion, garlic, bay leaves and salt. Cook, covered, on low , 6-8 hours, until liquid is absorbed and polenta is creamy. Remove bay leaves. Stir in cream, cheese, butter, pepper and remaining broth. If desired, serve with additional cheese.