Quick Polenta

With Giovanna Tognetti

Polenta is staple for many Italian regions and dishes. When you make normal polenta, it can take close to an hour, and involves continual stirring and attention. Giovanna Tognetti, who made a video with Lombardian Chestnut Stew, shows us how much easier it is to make “quick” polenta, which only takes about fifteen to twenty minutes, which is still longer than the opackaged instructions but it allows the polenta to absorb more liquid and therefore end up firmer. This allows the polenta to cool to the right texture. She insists that it tastes as good as the longer version and you will not be disappointed.

Ingredients

1 package of quick or instant polenta
salt

Instructions

1. Bring 6 cups of salted water to a boil.
2. Add polenta slowly, stirring while doing so.
3. Continue to stir until polenta thickens, about 20 minutes.

Serve as a side dish.

Recipe courtesy of Giovanna Tognetti, 2011.

Giovanna Tognetti

Giovanna Tognetti is from the ancient Lombardian city of Brescia at the foot of the Italian Alps, but now lives in Swampscott, where she and her husband moved years ago as part of an American adventure.  Giovanna now leads Americans on tours of her beloved Lombardy, and leads Italians on tours here in New England.  I met Giovanna at a cafe in Boston’s North End last fall, and, of course we quickly were talking about food.  As chestnut season had just begun, she mentioned to me that she made stew from chestnuts, which I had never heard of.  Giovanna promised me many Italians had never heard of it either.  It was her aunt Bruna’s recipe, and Giovanna had never seen it anywhere else.

Although chestnut season is waning, you can still find some in baskets in grocery store produce sections, but Giovanna promises that this unique beef stew, thickened with melding chestnuts, is just as delicious made with the jarred variety.  I’ve made this stew many times now, and promise it’s flavors are easily worth a thousand chestnuts.

Giovanna, owner of Smart Travel USA, works with major American and Italian tour operators for inbound Italian groups - conventions etc. She also works with Italian Government institutions to promote Italian Tourism, Food & Wines in the USA For 7 years she managed Casa Monte Cassino, a non for profit hospitality home for needy families around Boston for medical reasons.