Polenta Porridge – healthy breakfast cooked in only 3 minutes time!
If you’re tired of eating same old breakfast every day, I have a suggestion for you. Instead of your regular oatmeal, why not trying Polenta Porridge? It is very similar to Semolina Porridge (or pudding) I already posted. Since I’m using instant polenta, it is cooked in only 3 minutes time (regular polenta takes 45-60 minutes to cook).
I read somewhere long ago that if you eat polenta with milk and an apple, this is the most complete and healthy breakfast you can have.
For savory polenta I usually use water with a little bit of oil and salt as main cooking liquid. Some people use chicken or vegetable stock, too. But for Polenta Porridge I used milk (vegans can use non-dairy variety). It makes polenta sweeter, milder tasting, without the usual bitterness that comes from ground corn. I also put in some liquid stevia and a knob of butter, which is totally optional. The recipe below will get you a quite thick polenta. For thinner consistency, add more milk.
If you have a non-stick pot large enough to cook your porridge, I recommend it from the heart. The clean-up will be so much easier, whether you wash it by hand or in a dishwasher. If not, regular pot or a large saucepan can be used as well, just be sure to presoak before washing.
Once I didn’t have enough semolina or polenta so I mixed the two and my porridge turned out surprisingly good.
Serve Polenta Porridge with more milk or yogurt, some fresh fruit and honey, or sprinkled with some grated chocolate. Your kids will probably like it as it somewhat resembles homemade pudding.
- 4 cups milk, dairy or non-dairy
- 4 Tbsp sugar / honey or a few drops of liquid stevia (optional)
- a knob of butter (optional)
- 1 cup instant polenta
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Put milk in a pot to boil. Add sugar and butter, if using.
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Turn down the heat and slowly add polenta in a stream while whisking the mixture. Cook, whisking, for about 3 minutes or according to manufacturers directions.
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Serve Polenta Porridge with toppings of your choice like milk, yogurt, fruit, grated chocolate etc.
I have been eating this porridge for years and I am Hungarian and a lot of other European countries eat this as well it is not only the Italians.
It is also delicious non-sweet, with cheese and walnuts.
Yes, you’re right. I’m European as well. We eat plain cooked polenta and pour warm milk over it.
This porridge looks like the perfect breakfast (or dinner!). I love how colorful it is – so healthy and hearty ♥
Thank you, Natalie! 🙂