brown butter

By Hans Butler

 

 

 

 

 

Serves 4-6

¼ # unsalted butter

½ onion, peeled and diced

3 cups water

1 cup polenta

1 sprig of fresh thyme
1 bay leaf

Salt and pepper to taste

 

Heat butter over medium heat (watch closely) for about 4 minutes.  The butter will melt, sizzle, and then the solids in the bottom of the pan will start ot toast.  The butter is ready when it is medium brown and has a nutty aroma.

 

Add diced onion to brown butter and season generously with salt and pepper.  Saute for about 5 seconds.  Add water, thyme, and bay leaf and bring to a boil.  Remove thyme and bay leaf and slowly whisk in the polenta.  Lower the heat to the lowest setting and continue simmering and whisking for 30 minutes.

 

Serve polenta soft in warm like a savory porridge or pour into a pan to make polenta cakes (good for grilling or searing in a cast iron skillet).

 

 

 

Beautiful Upstate NY CPO coarse ground Polenta from Farmer Ground!