Over medium-high heat, bring water and salt to a boil.
While waiting for the water to boil, whisk together the coarse and finely ground cornmeal in a small bowl.
Reduce the heat to low. The cornmeal will splatter when added to the boiling water.
While constantly whisking, add the cornmeal slowly, in a thin steady stream.
Adjust the heat so that there are just a few bubbles breaking the surface. With a wooden spoon, stir every few minutes for about 45-55 minutes until the polenta is smooth and thick.
Remove polenta from heat. Add ⅓ cup of Parmesan cheese, and stir to combine.
Serve immediately.
If desired, garnish with more grated cheese, chili flakes and a drizzle of olive oil.
Video
Notes
Although polenta can be made with either coarse or fine cornmeal, a combination of both provides the silkiest texture.
DO NOT use instant polenta for this recipe.
A heavy bottomed saucepan is key to obtaining a rich and creamy textured polenta.
Add the polenta slowly, while whisking, to the boiling water in order to avoid getting lumpy polenta.
Polenta requires frequent stirring to prevent it from sticking to the bottom of the pot and lumps from forming.
Cook polenta on a low heat.
For a thicker consistency, increase the cooking time.
As the polenta cools down, it becomes firmer and retains its shape.
Refrigerate polenta for up to 5 days.
Can I double the recipe? Yes, in fact as long as you keep the ratio of 5 cups of liquid to one cup of cornmeal, you can increase (or decrease) the ingredients accordingly. Use caution with salt. Please keep in mind that the nutritional information provided below is just a rough estimate and variations can occur depending on the specific ingredients used.