Creamy Leek-Infused Polenta
Indulge in this velvety Creamy Leek-Infused Polenta, a delightful comfort dish that perfectly complements hearty stews and braised meats like succulent lamb shanks or traditional Osso Bucco. The sweetness of the leeks melds beautifully with the rich, cheesy undertones of parmesan, creating a dish that warms the soul. Whether served as a base for your favorite protein or enjoyed on its own, this polenta is sure to become a beloved staple at your dinner table.
4
Servings
300
Calories
7
Ingredients
Ingredients
Butter
3 teaspoons (divided; 2 tablespoons and 1 tablespoon separated)
Leeks
3 large (white and pale green parts only, thinly sliced)
Water
2 1/4 cups (or more, as needed)
Reduced-sodium chicken broth
2 cups
Bay leaf
1
Polenta
1 cup
Freshly grated parmesan cheese
1/3 cup
Instructions
1
In a large heavy saucepan, melt 2 tablespoons of butter over medium heat until foamy.
2
Add the sliced leeks to the pan and stir to coat them with butter. Cover and cook for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the leeks are softened and fragrant.
3
Pour in the water, reduced-sodium chicken broth, and add the bay leaf. Stir to combine.
4
Increase the heat and bring the mixture to a boil. Gradually whisk in the polenta, ensuring no lumps form.
5
Once added, reduce the heat to medium-low and cook the polenta, stirring frequently to prevent sticking. Cook until the mixture thickens to a creamy consistency, about 35 minutes.
6
If the polenta becomes too thick, add more water to reach your desired consistency.
7
After cooking, remove the saucepan from heat. Discard the bay leaf and stir in the remaining 1 tablespoon of butter along with the freshly grated parmesan cheese until well incorporated.
8
Season to taste with salt and pepper, and serve warm.
Nutrition Information
10g
Fat
40g
Carbs
6.25g
Protein
1g
Fiber
0.5g
Sugar
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Creamy Leek-Infused Polenta?
It is a velvety comfort dish that features sweet leeks and rich parmesan cheese, serving as a perfect base for stews.
What proteins pair well with this polenta?
This dish complements hearty stews and braised meats like succulent lamb shanks or traditional Osso Bucco.
How many servings does this recipe make?
This recipe is designed to make 4 servings.
How many calories are in one serving of this polenta?
There are 300 calories per serving.
What is the total fat content?
Each serving contains 10g of fat.
How many carbohydrates are in a serving?
There are 40g of carbohydrates per serving.
What is the protein content of the dish?
The dish provides 6.25g of protein per serving.
Does this polenta contain fiber?
Yes, it contains 1g of fiber per serving.
What is the sugar content?
Each serving contains 0.5g of sugar.
How many main ingredients are required for this recipe?
The recipe requires 7 main ingredients including butter, leeks, water, chicken broth, bay leaf, polenta, and parmesan.
Which parts of the leeks should be used?
You should use only the white and pale green parts, thinly sliced.
How much butter is used to cook the leeks initially?
You melt 2 tablespoons of butter over medium heat to cook the leeks.
How long do the leeks need to cook?
The leeks should be cooked covered for about 10 minutes until softened and fragrant.
What liquids are used to cook the polenta?
The recipe uses 2 1/4 cups of water and 2 cups of reduced-sodium chicken broth.
When do I add the bay leaf?
The bay leaf is added when you pour in the water and chicken broth.
How should the polenta be added to the liquid?
It should be whisked in gradually to ensure that no lumps form.
What heat level is used for cooking the polenta?
After reaching a boil, reduce the heat to medium-low to cook the polenta.
How long does the polenta take to thicken?
It takes approximately 35 minutes of frequent stirring to reach a creamy consistency.
What should I do if the polenta is too thick?
You can add more water to reach your desired consistency.
When should the bay leaf be removed?
Discard the bay leaf after the cooking process is complete and the pan is removed from the heat.
When is the final tablespoon of butter added?
The remaining 1 tablespoon of butter is stirred in after the saucepan is removed from the heat.
How much parmesan cheese is used?
The recipe calls for 1/3 cup of freshly grated parmesan cheese.
When is the parmesan cheese added?
The cheese is stirred in at the very end after the butter is incorporated.
How is the dish seasoned?
The dish is seasoned to taste with salt and pepper before serving.
What type of saucepan is recommended?
A large heavy saucepan is recommended for melting the butter and cooking the polenta.
Is this considered a side dish?
Yes, it is categorized as a Grains side dish.
Can this recipe be made vegetarian?
Yes, you could substitute the chicken broth with vegetable broth to make it vegetarian.
What are the primary flavor profiles?
The dish features sweetness from leeks and rich, cheesy undertones from the parmesan.
Is sodium or cholesterol information provided for this recipe?
No, the sodium and cholesterol values are not available in the current data.
What are the key tags associated with this recipe?
Key tags include polenta, leeks, comfort food, grains, side dish, and cheesy polenta.