Pumpkin Polenta by Chef Mimi @ Chef Mimi Blog (a guest post) - The Not So Creative Cook

Hello, Ladies and Gents… Bubbly and funny Friends… I missed you! <3

Thankfully, I am back! I think I was gone for too long that I need to spend another one whole month to catch up. How are things going at the blogging world and here at FF? Ohhh! How I missed the FF crowd – the people, the gossip (ooppss) and the FOOOOOD!!! Made new friends? And speaking of friends… I brought you one. She’s Chef Mimi. I was hooked when I knew that Chef Mimi shares a lot of pasta dishes. Gosh! I love pasta. I mean, who doesn’t? Other than that, she shares so many wonderful dishes from around the world.

Anyway, it’s so sad to say that I am not staying for long… so I bring you Chef Mimi.

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Over the years I’ve been asked quite frequently about the difference between polenta and grits.  But they are the same thing – essentially, cornmeal.  Polenta is the Italian name for the dish, and grits are well known in the states as a Southern staple.  They are both a savory porridge of sorts, made with ground corn.  The only thing that is different is the grind of the cornmeal.  There are finer grinds and coarser ones. 

The reason I love polenta (and grits) is that I can do wonderful things with it depending on my mood and the season. For example, with fall approaching, I’ve begun stocking up on one of my favorite canned ingredient – pumpkin puree. I add pumpkin to soups, stews, pastas, meat loaves, risottos, and today, polenta. Pumpkin not only complements the cornmeal flavor, but it creates a beautiful orange color as well. It just screams autumn!

When you go to cook your cornmeal as polenta, you need to read the package directions. Because polenta comes in various grinds, the cooking times vary. Just as with purchased pasta, read the directions. Also keep in mind that cornmeal nearly triples in volume when it cooks, so unless you’re cooking for an army, don’t be tempted to use more than 1 cup of polenta, which is perfect for 4-5 servings.  Here’s what I did.

PUMPKIN POLENTA

• Servings: 4-5
• Difficulty: easy
• Print

Ingredients:

2 tablespoons butter
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 small onion, finely chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
3 cups chicken broth
1/2 can pumpkin puree
1 teaspoon salt
1 cup medium-grind cornmeal

Instructions:

In a large pot, heat the butter and oil over medium-heat until the butter just browns. Add the onion and stir, lower the heat to medium low. Sauté the onion for about 3-4 minutes.

Add the garlic and cook for just about 30 seconds, then stir in the broth, pumpkin, and salt.

 

Turn up the heat and bring the mixture to a boil. Using a whisk, slowly pour in the cornmeal. Lower the heat and simmer the polenta, whisking occasionally, until all of the liquid is incorporated.

If it gets too thick, add a little more liquid. This process should only take about 8-10 minutes unless you’re using a coarser cornmeal.

Serve with grated cheese, if desired, such as Parmesan, or, in my case, Monterey Jack!

If you want your polenta a little more decadent, substitute some heavy cream or even goat’s milk for some of the broth.

Just think of the ways you can make polenta! Add pesto, sun-dried tomatoes, mushrooms, both fresh and dried, ancho chile paste, achiote oil – you name it!

Note: Just like oatmeal, polenta will keep thickening with time. If you need to refrigerate any leftover polenta, make it really soupy before you store it. Only then will you have a chance of not discovering a cornmeal frisbee in your frig the next day!

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Thank you for that wonderful treat, Chef Mimi.

Blogging buddies, let’s all welcome Chef Mimi… and dig in. 😛 For more of Chef Mimi, please hop on to Chef Mimi Blog.

Thank you to the ever kind, Angie, and to our co-hosts.

Happy FF#37!

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Enjoy the weekend and enjoy the party!!

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PS: Guest bloggers kept on emailing me even after the deadline, and Chef Mimi is one of them. I still have few treats from the remaining guest bloggers… so watch out, foodies. 😀

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