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AIBU?

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Original poster

AIBU to think polenta is a waste of time and effort?

36 replies

Hkakge · 13/06/2025 17:14

I made polenta for the first time yesterday. Lots of stirring and trying to stop it sticking to the pan. Used a stock cube and parmesan cheese and it tasted like savoury wallpaper paste.
Tried to use the leftovers today, followed a recipe which said it makes amazing 'polenta chips', they did not work, they fell apart and soaked up loads of oil and were inedible.
Is it worth trying again with polenta or not?

OP posts:
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Goodlorditssummer · 13/06/2025 22:41

It’s vile, gritty shite. See also couscous. That’s like someone has pre-chewed your rice 🤮🤮🤮

soundsys · 13/06/2025 22:37

We’ve tried it in all its forms in our house and the only time anyone will eat it is in cake form!

MonTuesWeds · 13/06/2025 21:32

LadyWiddiothethird · 13/06/2025 21:00

Yes! They were whole,apparently a specialty in Bergamo.Lots of lovely photos and recipes if you care to Google it.😂.

The husband was not impressed,glad I wasn’t with him that time!

Show quote history

Oh my word. Half of me does want to Google this but I don't think it's a good idea! What a thing to be confronted with on a work trip

LadyWiddiothethird · 13/06/2025 21:00

MonTuesWeds · 13/06/2025 18:21

Thrushes, as in birds?!

Show quote history

Yes! They were whole,apparently a specialty in Bergamo.Lots of lovely photos and recipes if you care to Google it.😂.

The husband was not impressed,glad I wasn’t with him that time!

Original poster
Hkakge · 13/06/2025 19:09

RachelRosing · 13/06/2025 18:49

Limoncello and polenta cake with thick double cream 🙂

Now this I could get with

OP posts:
Fangisnotacoward · 13/06/2025 19:00

I've not been a fan when I've had it, but maybe it's been badly cooked

tumblingdowntherabbithole · 13/06/2025 18:56

Ooh I love it, but I'm too much of a wuss to try and make it myself as I know I'd get it completely wrong.

Lunaballoon · 13/06/2025 18:55

Another polenta lover here! It’s on a par with buttery mashed potatoes with sausages, ragu type things in the “soft” version and fried after cooling turns it into an alternative to fried potatoes/chips. This is nice and simple.

Grilled Polenta with Balsamic Roasted Tomatoes

This Grilled Polenta with Balsamic Roasted Tomatoes is versatile enough to serve as an appetizer or light meal. Plus, it's easy to prepare and it can be prepped ahead of time.

https://veganhuggs.com/grilled-polenta/

RachelRosing · 13/06/2025 18:49

Limoncello and polenta cake with thick double cream 🙂

AlabamaOfEurope · 13/06/2025 18:45

I love it but only use the Cooks & Co packs. Not because I'm any sort of connoisseur or anything, just those are the only ones I've liked so far. They're so easy to make. I just add a bit of olive oil and a spoonful of pesto. Leftovers get fried the next day, so lovely.

I'm the only one in my house that likes it though.

AFrolicOfMyOwn · 13/06/2025 18:45

Delicious with spicy roasted vegetables during the first cold days of autumn! And the leftover polenta roasted in the oven the next day. So comforting. (And now I’m remembering polenta with an oxtail casserole when I used to eat meat …)

I agree the taste and texture of a polenta cake are heavenly. But the second time I made one it very nearly killed my stomach - so I just can’t nowadays.

Melassa · 13/06/2025 18:41

I use the 8 minute one too, and have a preference for polenta taragna. I never use stock, just water and season it with salt.
I eat it with mushroom ragù as an alternative to pasta, or else stir cheese and butter into it and eat it with sauteed cabbage or other greens. It actually works really well with cheddar as well as strong cheeses like pecorino or Gorgonzola piccante.

I sometimes use it to make Mexican style tortillas to eat with chili.

MagpieCastle · 13/06/2025 18:39

Really want to like it but when I make it myself it's just grim and gritty. I obviously need to try it made by someone who actually knows what they're doing.

Ditto for fufu which I managed to equally mangle into something inedible (having paid £6 for a pack of it) but I'd tried it previously made by friends and thought it was tasty.

Girasoli · 13/06/2025 18:32

I love it - especially polenta taranga (wholemeal polenta with various cheeses mixed in)

Having said that, I never make it - just eat it at my parents house or from a giant pot at festivals.

Coffeeishot · 13/06/2025 18:28

I would never make it it looks such a faff, I eat it out somebody else can faff about stirring.

toastofthetown · 13/06/2025 18:25

This recipe for cheesy polenta with curried onions was my favourite new recipe of the year last year. It’s super rich and delicious- great served with sausages and something green.

UniversalTruth · 13/06/2025 18:25

It's gluten free so useful. I get the express polenta, follow the instructions on the box, done in 8 mins, great with gravy/sauce dishes when you're bored of mash. Never sticks to the pan, it comes out slightly runnier than mash for me.

Best use is in orange polenta cake though 🍰

Scottishskifun · 13/06/2025 18:24

I love it but it does have to be well seasoned.
I generally find the quick cook stuff far easier then add roasted garlic paste, smoked paprika and cheese served thinner if having with a stew or sauce or do thick style then fry in wedges.

You have to dry fry or air fry for good crisp polenta

MadlyTrudyDeeply · 13/06/2025 18:22

I hate seeing a good cake ruined by polenta.

ThymeSageRosemary · 13/06/2025 18:22

I made it once and it was AMAZING. Then I made it again and it was AWFUL. I'm not sure what happened. I am now very wary to try again.

MonTuesWeds · 13/06/2025 18:21

LadyWiddiothethird · 13/06/2025 18:05

Awful stuff,I lived in Italy for years,never understood the love for it,my husband was at a work dinner once,polenta with 2 whole thrushes on top….just yuck.

Thrushes, as in birds?!

CurlyhairedAssassin · 13/06/2025 18:20

Nah. Literally peasant food.

SantaToSSD · 13/06/2025 18:18

I eat pretty much anything but l made polenta once years ago and have steered clear of it since.

SapporoBaby · 13/06/2025 18:15

Sounds gross. I make mine with butter and garlic and top it with a poached egg and fried mushrooms. Simple, heavenly.

Strollingby · 13/06/2025 18:14

I like it as a super quick meal. But only add pepper to the polenta and have all the flavour in the toppings. Basically use like mash potato but quicker to prepare.