Creamy Polenta with Asparagus is a simple and scrumptious recipe for the North Italian porridge served with crispy asparagus and finished off with butter and Parmesan shavings for the perfect side dish. Delicious and comfort food at its best!
I absolutely love polenta with its wonderfully creamy and buttery corn flavor. And my family often enjoys this savory porridge for dinner. Topped with blanched asparagus and flavorful Parmesan cheese, it transforms into a restaurant-quality dish while being a breeze to make at home. Lemon zest and juice give a powerful punch of freshness, and finally, some freshly ground black pepper is always a good idea, too. To avoid lumps in polenta, make sure to pour the cornmeal into the saucepan with boiling water gradually and whisk constantly as you go.
To make the Creamy Polenta with Asparagus, you will need the following ingredients:
In a large pot over high heat, bring 3 cups whole milk and 3 cups water to a boil. Add in 2 teaspoons of salt and stir to dissolve.
Gradually pour in 1 cup polenta, whisking constantly, and then stir in 2 minced cloves garlic. Bring to a simmer and cook on low heat covered for 30 minutes until soft. Stir the polenta every 10 minutes.
Meanwhile, bring a large saucepan of salted water to a boil. Place the asparagus for 1 minute into boiling water until bright green, then drain immediately and run under cold water for 1 minute.
In a bowl, toss the asparagus with 1 teaspoon lemon zest, juice of ½ a lemon, 1 tablespoon olive oil, and salt to taste. Set aside.
Once the polenta is cooked, stir in 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese and 2 tablespoons butter. Season to taste with salt and freshly ground black pepper.
To serve, divide the polenta among serving bowls and top with asparagus and more Parmesan.
This recipe is super delish. I made it last weekend for my wife and she was so impressed. The creamy polenta paired perfectly with the asparagus and Parmesan. It made our dinner feel special, kinda like a fancy resturant at home. Can’t wait to make it again.
I tried the Creamy Polenta with Asparagus for a family dinner last week. Everyone loved it, and it was so easy to make!
I made the Creamy Polenta with Asparagus for a family dinner, and it was such a hit! The kids loved the creamy texture, and my husband couldn’t stop raving about the flavors. It was so easy to prepare, and it felt fancy enough for a special occasion. Thank you for this wonderful recipe!
Made this creamy polenta last night. My kids fought over the asparagus, it was a hit! Super easy and so creamy.
So easy, so good. My kids loved this creamy polenta with asparagus. It was a hit at dinner, and I felt like a gourmet chef. We even shared some with neighbors, and they asked for the recipe. Pure comfort food.
Great recipe! Finally something from Northern Italy. Thanks!