How to Make Chef John's Three Corn Polenta - A Step-by-Step Guide

If you're looking for a delicious and versatile side dish to accompany your next meal, Chef John's Three Corn Polenta is the perfect choice. This recipe takes the classic Italian dish and puts a unique twist on it by incorporating three different types of corn - fresh, dried, and canned. The result is a creamy, flavorful polenta that’s sure to impress your taste buds.

Polenta, a traditional Italian staple, is made from coarsely ground yellow cornmeal and can be served soft and creamy ...

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Ingredients

  • 2 teaspoons butter, divided
  • 1 teaspoon olive oil
  • 1 ½ cups fresh corn kernels, divided
  • salt and ground black pepper to taste
  • 1 pinch cayenne pepper, or to taste
  • 1 clove garlic, pressed
  • 2 ½ cups water, divided
  • ½ cup polenta

Information

  • Prep Time: 10 mins
  • Cook Time: 40 mins
  • Additional Time: 5 mins
  • Total Time: 55 mins
  • Servings: 4
  • Yield: 4 servings

  • Melt 1 teaspoon butter and olive oil in a saucepan over medium-low heat. Cook and stir 2/3 of the corn, with a pinch of salt and a pinch of cayenne pepper in the hot butter and oil until the corn is fragrant and golden, about 10 minutes. Add garlic; cook and stir until fragrant, about 30 seconds.
  • Pour 2 cups water into corn mixture; bring to a simmer and whisk polenta into mixture. Bring to a simmer again, reduce heat to low, and simmer, stirring occasionally, until mixture is thick and polenta absorbs the water, 20 minutes. Add remaining 1/2 cup water and stir; cook for until water is completely absorbed, about 10 minutes more.
  • Stir remaining corn and 1 teaspoon butter into polenta mixture. Remove from heat, cover the pot, and let sit for 5 minutes before serving.
  • Nutrition

    166 cal.

    • Total Fat: 6g
    • Saturated Fat: 2g
    • Cholesterol: 7mg
    • Sodium: 211mg
    • Total Carbohydrate: 27g
    • Dietary Fiber: 3g
    • Total Sugars: 3g
    • Protein: 5g
    • Vitamin C: 10mg
    • Calcium: 41mg
    • Iron: 2mg
    • Potassium: 162mg