Blue Cheese Polenta

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  • 8

Ingredients

  • 11 oz. (2 cups) polenta (not instant or quick-cooking)
  • 3 cups boiling water
  • 1-1/2 cups lower-salt chicken broth; more as needed
  • 1-1/2 cups whole milk
  • Fine sea salt
  • 2 oz. (2 cups) finely grated Parmigiano-Reggiano; more for serving
  • 1 cup crumbled blue cheese
  • 1 oz. (2 Tbs.) unsalted butter, cut into 4 pieces
  • Freshly ground black pepper

Preparation

Step 1

Put the polenta in a 4-quart heavy-duty saucepan and whisk in the boiling water. Cover and let sit at room temperature for at least 8 and up to 12 hours.

In a 2-quart saucepan, bring the broth and milk to a boil. Whisk the broth mixture and 1 tsp. salt into the polenta, loosening it and breaking up any clumps. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, whisking once or twice, about 5 minutes.

Turn the heat down to maintain a simmer and continue cooking, whisking constantly, until the polenta thickens from soupy to porridge-like, about 2 minutes.

Turn the heat down to low. Cover and cook, stirring vigorously and scraping the bottom of the pan with a wooden spoon or spatula every couple of minutes. When you can see the bottom of the pan as you drag the spoon across it, 5 to 10 minutes later, begin tasting the polenta; it’s done when it’s thick, creamy, and tender. It should be granular, but not gritty.

Remove from the heat, and stir in the cheeses, butter, and 1/2 tsp. pepper until the butter is melted. Season to taste and serve right away, passing more Parmigiano at the table.

Make Ahead Tips:
After soaking the polenta at room temperature, you can refrigerate it, covered, for up to 2 days.

nutrition information (per serving):
Calories (kcal): 310; Fat (g): fat g 12; Fat Calories (kcal): 110; Saturated Fat (g): sat fat g 7; Protein (g): protein g 12; Monounsaturated Fat (g): 3; Carbohydrates (g): carbs g 36; Polyunsaturated Fat (g): 0; Sodium (mg): sodium mg 670; Cholesterol (mg): cholesterol mg 30; Fiber (g): fiber g 2;