Ingredients

serves 6 or more

　　10 cups water

　　1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil

　　1 tablespoon salt, plus more if needed

　　4 bay leaves, preferably fresh

　　2 cups yellow polenta, medium-grind

　　

Optional Enrichments

1 cup freshly grated Grana Padano or Parmigiano-Reggiano, or more to taste

　　1/4 pound (1 stick) butter, or to taste

　　

Recommended Equipment

A heavy-bottomed saucepan or French oven, 10 inches or wider, at least 6-quart capacity, with a cover

　　A sturdy wire whisk

　　

Step 1

Pour the water and olive oil into the heavy pot, add the salt and bay leaves, and bring to a boil over high heat. With the water bubbling steadily, pick up the polenta by handfuls and let it rain into the water through your fingers, whisking steadily to avoid lumps, until it is all incorporated.

　　

Step 2

Bring the polenta to a boil over medium heat, whisking frequently. When big bubbles start bursting, lower the heat a bit and set the cover ajar. Keep the polenta perking, and stir frequently, scraping the thickening cereal from the bottom and corners of the pot.

　　

Step 3

Cook for about 30 minutes, until the polenta is glossy and pulls away from the sides as you stir. If you like the consistency, turn off the heat, or cook longer for greater density. Taste (carefully—it’s hot!), and add salt if needed. Remove all the bay leaves. To enrich the polenta, stir in grated cheese or butter—or both—to taste, then cover the pan until you are ready to serve.

　　

Step 4

To serve, dip a large spoon in water and use it to scoop polenta from the pot, mounding it in a warm pasta bowl.

　　

Step 5

Set aside some of the freshly cooked polenta to prepare Baked Polenta later (page 111).

　　From Lidia's Italy by Lidia Matticchio Bastianich. Copyright (c) 2007 by Lidia Matticchio Bastianich. Published by Knopf.Lidia Bastianich hosts the hugely popular PBS show, "Lidia's Italian-American Kitchen" and owns restaurants in New York City, Kansas City, and Pittsburgh. Also the author of Lidia's Italian Table and Lidia's Italian-American Kitchen, she lives in Douglaston, New York.