This is such a great Italian accompaniment to so many things. Try it instead of mashed potato or just soft with a sauce (like you would pasta). A tomato sauce made with chorizo (spicy italian sausage) is just stunning.

You can also make it and set it in the fridge on an oiled tray. Then you cut it into shapes (I use triangles) and grill or BBQ it to go with just about any meat dish. Try flavouring it with a little chopped chilli (even out of a bottle) or some lightly fried herbs like rosemary. YUM!

Hint – in Australia, the polenta you buy from supermarkets can be a bit course. If you mix it 50/50 with semolina, it makes a much nicer polenta mixture. If you’re from Brissy, try Samios on Annerley Rd in Woolloongabba for the ingredients (of this and any other continental dish).

2 cups milk
2.5 cups water
1 cup polenta
herbs or chilli to taste (optional)
2 tbl butter

Bring milk and water to the boil. Pour polenta in while whisking vigorously. Keep whisking over high heat until mixture thickens. Lower heat and keep stirring with a wooden spoon until mixture starts to leave the sides of the pot (can be 3 – 20 mins depending on the type of polenta). Add flavourings and butter and mix until blended. Serve hot or tray up if you are going to set it.