Best Yakima Valley Polenta Recipes

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.

PROPER POLENTA

Steps:

• Bring the water to boil in a large pan. Slowly stream in the polenta, whisking continuously. Once it's mixed, continue to stir over the heat for 15 to 20 minutes. Stir in the butter and Parmesan. You can add a little more water to make it the right consistency. Season and serve straight away.

SCHIACCIATA WITH CARAMELIZED ONIONS

Steps:

• Heat 2 tablespoons of the olive oil in a large saute pan over medium heat until hot. Add the onions, season with salt so the onions release their liquid, and reduce the heat to medium-low. Cook until the onions stop releasing water and the pan is nearly dry again, about 4 minutes. Do not allow the onions to brown. Add the water, stir, cover, and cook until softened, about 10 minutes. Uncover, stir in the thyme, and cook over medium heat until the onions are light brown, about 10 minutes longer. Season lightly with pepper. Do not cook the onions too long now as they will brown further in the oven. Let cool for several minutes.
• Preheat the oven to 500 degrees F. Dust 2 baking sheets with cornmeal. Cut the dough into 3 equal pieces. Working on a floured surface, shape each piece of dough by hand or with a rolling pin into an 8-inch round, keeping the edges a little thicker than the center. Transfer the rounds to the prepared baking sheets. Brush each round with 1 teaspoon of the olive oil and divide the onions evenly among them. Let rise for about 20 minutes.
• Push the dough with your fingers. Top each round with the caramelized onions and then scatter olives on top. Dot rounds evenly with the cheese. Bake until light brown all around the edges and on the bottom, about 12 minutes. Let cool for a minute, then, if desired, pile a handful of parley leaves on top of each. If using, put the vinegar in a spray bottle and mist the parsley.
• Chef's Note: Diced cooked potatoes are also a good addition to the onions.

CREAMY PARMESAN POLENTA

Steps:

• Place the chicken stock in a large saucepan. Add the garlic and cook over medium-high heat until the stock comes to a boil. Reduce the heat to medium-low and very slowly whisk in the cornmeal, whisking constantly to make sure there are no lumps. Switch to a wooden spoon, add the salt and pepper, and simmer, stirring almost constantly, for 10 minutes, until thick. Be sure to scrape the bottom of the pan thoroughly while you're stirring. Off the heat, stir in the Parmesan, creme fraiche, and butter. Taste for seasonings and serve hot with extra Parmesan cheese to sprinkle on top.