Soft Polenta

Ingredients

• 6 cups water
• 1 tablespoon kosher salt
• 1 cup polenta (coarse- or medium-ground)
• 1/2 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper (more to taste, if desired)
• 3 tablespoons butter
• 2 ounces parmigiano-reggiano cheese, grated

Directions

1. 1

   Bring 3 cups water to a full boil in a heavy pot. Simmer the remaining water close by.

2. 2

   Add the salt and rapidly stir the water with a whisk, creating a vortex. Continuing to stir constantly, add the polenta in a thin stream into the vortex.

3. 3

   Continue to stir after all the polenta has been added, then lower the heat to a simmer rather than a boil.

4. 4

   As the polenta thickens, replace the whisk with a long-handled wooden spoon.

5. 5

   Add the 1 cup of remaining water and continue to stir. Break up any lumps with the back of the spoon pressed against the pot.

6. 6

   Continue stirring the polenta, reaching to the bottom of the pot as necessary, until it gets thick and pulls away from the sides of the pot.

7. 7

   Taste the polenta to test tenderness; add additional water if necessary. The polenta can take 15 to 60 minutes to cook properly, depending on its type.

8. 8

   During the last 5 minutes of cooking, stir in the pepper and butter, then add the cheese.

9. 9

   Remove from heat.

10. 10

    If serving immediately, pour onto a large platter or into a bowl or individual dishes.