Slow Cooker Polenta
Slow cooker polenta cooks in broth until soft and creamy, with butter and freshly shredded parmesan stirred in at the end.
Servings: 8
Ingredients
Instructions
- Add the chicken broth, polenta, salt, garlic powder and water to the slow cooker and stir well.
- Set the crockpot to high.
- Cover and cook on high for 2 hours and 45 minutes, stirring once or twice during cooking.
- Taste the polenta. If it is soft and creamy, continue to the next step. If needed, cook for another 15 minutes and check again.
- Mix the butter and parmesan cheese into the polenta mixture.
- Cook for another 15 minutes or until soft and smooth, then serve hot.
Notes
Use the right polenta: I use medium- or coarse-ground polenta for this. Fine cornmeal cooks differently and can turn pasty during the long slow-cooker cooking time.
Give it a stir: This isn't completely hands-off. Stir it once or twice while it cooks so the polenta cooks more evenly and doesn't clump around the edges.
Check before adding the butter: Slow cookers vary, so taste the polenta after 2 hours and 45 minutes. If the grains still seem firm, give it another 15 minutes.
Add the cheese at the end: Parmesan goes in once the polenta is already soft so its flavor stays noticeable and the cheese melts smoothly into it.
Loosen leftovers: Polenta firms dramatically in the refrigerator. If I want it creamy again, I add a little broth or water while reheating rather than trying to reheat it as-is.
Give it a stir: This isn't completely hands-off. Stir it once or twice while it cooks so the polenta cooks more evenly and doesn't clump around the edges.
Check before adding the butter: Slow cookers vary, so taste the polenta after 2 hours and 45 minutes. If the grains still seem firm, give it another 15 minutes.
Add the cheese at the end: Parmesan goes in once the polenta is already soft so its flavor stays noticeable and the cheese melts smoothly into it.
Loosen leftovers: Polenta firms dramatically in the refrigerator. If I want it creamy again, I add a little broth or water while reheating rather than trying to reheat it as-is.
Nutrition
Calories: 179kcal | Carbohydrates: 25g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 6g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.4g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Trans Fat: 0.2g | Cholesterol: 17mg | Sodium: 754mg | Potassium: 68mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 246IU | Vitamin C: 0.01mg | Calcium: 81mg | Iron: 0.4mg
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