About Polenta
The pasta of the North and then some, it's amazingly versatile, and perfect for important occasions or every day meals.

Standbys

Baked Polenta with Gorgonzola: Pasticcio di Polenta e Gorgonzola
A hearty polenta dish that's perfect in winter.
Difficulty: Moderate

Baked Polenta with Sausages: Polenta Pasticciata con le Salsicce
Baked polenta with sausages, a tasty alternative for a quick luncheon, or a simple dinner.
Difficulty: Moderate

Polenta and Beans: Polenta coi Fasoi
Polenta with beans, a tasty antipasto, or a nice accompaniment to a roast or stew.
Difficulty: Moderate

Polenta with Rabbit Sauce: Polenta Col Sugo di Coniglio
Polenta with stewed rabbit, an extremely tasty one-course meal.
Difficulty: Moderate

The Reggitore's Polenta: Polenta del Reggitore
Grilled polenta with deliciously runny cheese.
Difficulty: Easy

Other Polenta Dishes

Boar Between Two Flames: Cinghiale fra Due Fuochi
Wild boar (or other game) marinated and stewed with the marinade, will work beautifully with polenta.
Difficulty: Intermediate

Braised Beef with Polenta Gnocchi: Bue Brasato con Gnocchi di Polenta
Elegant braised beef with polenta as a side dish.
Difficulty: Moderate

Calentita
A Gibraltarian variation on Panissa (chickpea polenta), which was introduced to the Rock by Ligurian sailors.
Difficulty: Easy

Chestnut Polenta with Sausages: Polenta di Castagne con Salsicce
Chestnut flour polenta with a rich oniony sausage sauce. Perfect for winter!
Difficulty: Moderate

Dirty Polenta: Polenta Vuncia
Polenta richly layered with butter and cheese. Mouthwatering!.
Difficulty: Moderate

Friulian Baked Polenta: Polenta Pastizada Trionfo Friulana
An extraordinarily rich baked polenta, a perfect centerpiece for a festive meal.
Difficulty: Intermediate

Lodigiana-Style Polenta Fritters: Frittelle di Polenta alla Lodigiana
Tasty polenta fritters filled with prosciutto and cheese. The perfect tidbit!
Difficulty:Moderate

Lombard Baked Polenta: Polenta Pasticciata alla Lombarda
A rich baked polenta with cheese that will help keep the chill of winter at bay.
Difficulty: Moderate

Milanese Baked Polenta: Polenta Pasticciata alla Milanese
A rich, elegant baked polenta dish with meat and mushrooms to keep winter at bay.
Difficulty: Moderate

Ossa dei Morti
In parts of the Veneto region these cookies are made with a polenta-based dough.
Difficulty: Moderate

Panissa
Classic Ligurian frugal peasant food, a polenta made from chickpea flour that will make a satisfying, simple meal.
Difficulty: Easy

Polenta and the Birds that got Away: Polenta e Osei Scappati
A stew for when the hunters come up empty.
Difficulty: Moderate

Polenta and Herring, or Polenta e Scopeton
Polenta with fish was one of the standard meals of the poor in Northern Italy until quite recently. Peasant food, of sorts.Difficulty: Easy.

Polenta Gnocchi with Parmigiano, Butter and Prosciutto: Gnocchi di Polenta con Parmignao, Burro e Prosciutto
These are a refreshing change from regular gnocci, and will be an excellent wintery first course, or go well with a roast.
Difficulty: Moderate

Polenta Squares with Gorgonzola, or Crostoni al Gorgonzola
Polenta is remarkably versatile, and is a fine base for crostini too. An excellent antipasto or party food.
Difficulty: Easy

Polenta with Beans, Fava Beans, and Cabbage: Polenta con Fagioli, Fave e Cavoli
Polenta with Cabbage and Beans, frugal winter fare from the Marches
Difficulty: Moderate

Polenta with Canned Tuna: Polenta col Tonno Sott'Olio
Polenta with tuna sauce, a tasty Marchegian treat for days when meat is forbidden.
Difficulty: Moderate

Polenta with Snails: Polentone con Lumache
Snails and polenta, rustic fare for a Friday meal up in the mountains where there wasn't any fish. And instructions on preparing snails.
Difficulty: Advanced if you start with live snails, and moderate if you use canned ones.

Rich Polenta: Polenta Grassa
Plain polenta is, well, plain. Add lots of butter and Fontina, and heat it gently for a while, and you'll have a dish fit for a king!
Difficulty: Moderate

Sardinian Polenta: Polenta alla Sarda
A hearty, rustic Sardinian polenta dishe with cheese and tomato sauce; combined with a tossed salad it will be a perfect meal.
Difficulty: Easy

Sea Scallops and Mushrooms over Polenta
A tasty recipe from Sturat Borken.
Difficulty: Moderate

Tyrolean Baked Polenta: Polenta Pasticciata alla Tirolese
A zesty baked polenta with anchovies that's very refreshing in summer.
Difficulty: Moderate

Viandese-Style Polenta: Polenta alla Viandese
Polenta, seasoned with lemon zest, sugar, and fried: a traditional snack or breakfast in Mantova.
Difficulty: Moderate

White Polenta Quenelles with Chantarelle Sauce: Quenelles di Polenta Bianca con Ragù di Finferli
Polenta dumplings with a graceful wild mushroom sauce.
Difficulty: Moderate

If you haven't found what you're looking for, please ask!

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