Polenta is a creamy corn porridge. In Ukraine, it is called “Kukurudziana Kasha”. It is made with cornmeal, salt, cheese, butter, water, salt, pepper, and dill. This corn porridge is really easy to make, the texture is creamy, silky, and smooth. So delicate!

Originally, people serve corn polenta or kasha with pulled pork or “skvarky” which is sauteed onion with pork fat, another name for this is “salo”. The closest alternative for salo will be porchetta or fatty bacon. You need to chop the onion, add salo or bacon and saute over medium heat until the onion will be nicely brown and the bacon reduces fat and gives all of its juice to the onion. Serve this skvarky on top of the cornmeal porridge and enjoy a silky and creamy corn polenta.

Can I add milk?

Yes, absolutely, you can add half water, and half milk.

What kind of cheese can I use for creamy polenta?

Mozzarella cheese is a good neutral option. This cheese doesn’t have a strong flavor which helps to form a perfect texture of the corn polenta. You can add feta cheese, cheddar cheese, parmesan cheese, gouda cheese, or cottage cheese, too.

What to do if the polenta is too dense?

Add a little bit of water and whisk it again. Milk will also work great.