Polenta is a versatile, hearty ingredient than can be easily transformed from simple to sophisticated, and which every restaurant or home should have handy. Similar to grits, polenta is made of cornmeal, and cooked to a sort of porridge. This staple of Italian cuisine has made its way into the American palate, and today is savored in many different forms. We proudly carry a great variety of authentic Italian polenta both in bulk and smaller retail packaging.
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Polenta started off as a peasant dish, a simple, porridge-like meal that was hearty and filling, and inexpensive. Today, this Italian staple has taken over gourmet restaurants, reinvented as a sophisticated dish. Polenta is made with ground cornmeal, sometimes coarse and sometimes fine, cooked in a broth or in milk to a creamy, smooth consistency. It’s a comfort dish by excellence, especially when served with a chunky ragout or loaded with parmesan.
However, don’t stop there! Polenta can take different presentations, especially when baked, grilled or pan-fried. It develops a crispy crust and can be shaped into fun forms, like polenta sticks or polenta fries (a children’s’ favorite). Baked polenta is another favorite of ours – top it with a generous amount of Parmigiano for spectacular au gratin results! There’s not mystery on how to cook polenta, as it usually just needs to rehydrate slowly in water or broth. So simple!
Creamy, cheesy polenta is a great alternative to serve in your kid’s menu. Use polenta as an alternative to breading. Because polenta is made from corn, it’s naturally gluten-free, which makes it a great choice for breading for those with gluten intolerances and your patrons with celiac disease. You can also offer a hearty polenta dish instead of risotto or pasta, you’ll find that foodies love this ingredient.
Stocking up on our premium polenta is always a good idea, since polenta has a very long shelf life. Store unopened packages or containers of finely polenta away from heat and humidity and they can last for about 2 years. Fine polenta lasts longer than instant polenta, the latter can keep for about 2 months in a cool, dark place.