Active Time

　　5 minutes

　　Total Time

　　15 minutes

　　Freshly ground pepper makes all the difference in this simple recipe.

Ingredients

　　4 1/2 cups water

　　1 1/4 teaspoons salt

　　2 tablespoons unsalted butter

　　1 cup instant polenta

　　1 ozfinely grated Parmigiano-Reggiano (1/2 cup)

　　1/4 teaspoon black pepper

　　Bring water to a boil with salt and butter in a 4-quart heavy saucepan, then add polenta in a thin stream, whisking. Cook polenta at a bare simmer, whisking with a long-handled whisk and turning down heat as needed to prevent spattering, 5 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in cheese. Serve sprinkled with black pepper.