As much as I like to cook, there are times when life gets crazy and you crave simplicity. Macaroni and cheese, cereal and milk – or maybe a fat peanut butter & jelly sandwich on Wonder Bread. Next time though, think: goat cheese polenta.
Sometimes I find it challenging to make side dishes.
You always seem to need the oven when there’s already something in it at a different temperature.
If you’re using the stovetop, you can never seem to pay enough attention to the meat you’re sautéing at the same time you’re keeping a watchful eye on the vegetable medley in the steamer.
When I make dinner for myself it seems especially pointless (and not especially time efficient) to make a side dish that requires ample prep time.
If I’m baking, roasting or broiling I tend to steam vegetables, mash potatoes or make a salad to speed up dinnertime (which…let’s be honest, is 8:00 p.m. on a good day, closer to 9:00 p.m. on an average day).
This is a simple side dish that would pair nicely with a the smoky flavors of barbecue, severd alongside chicken, steaks or even a classic meatloaf.
Even if polenta isn’t your favorite food, you’ll enjoy this if you’re like me and you love goat cheese.
And I do.
If you took a rectangular piece of cardboard, smothered it in goat cheese and told me it was flatbread, there’s a good chance I would enjoy it.
I digress.
- 4 cups of water
- 1 cup of coarse cornmeal or polenta
- 4 ounces goat cheese, sliced into one-inch pieces
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Bring 4 cups of water to a boil in a medium-sized saucepan. Add polenta and stir until mixture is combined and texture is creamy. Remove from heat and add goat cheese, one slice at a time until mixture is blended. Add salt and pepper as desired. Serves 4.
32 Comments
Jude
April 20, 2009 at 3:00 amI can definitely see enjoying this with a juicy steak. The texture looks luscious.
Lexi
April 16, 2009 at 3:00 amI looooooooooooooooooove goat cheese!
My current favorite side is asparagus…I make it all the time!
Paula Maack
April 16, 2009 at 3:00 amSome of my favorite side dishes include pureed cauliflower, baked spaghetti squash, and roasted yams.
This polenta looks quick, easy and super yummy. I have had a similar version with mascarpone, but have never made it myself.
I look forward to trying this – thanks!
Cheers,
~ Paula
Susan
April 15, 2009 at 3:00 amyou had me at goat cheese
E.P.
April 14, 2009 at 3:00 amI’ve never made polenta before, but I’m sure since I like grits, I’d probably enjoy it. (They’re similar, right?)
My go-to side is mac and cheese. I actually made some from scratch today on a whim, and it made me SO happy.
Sandie
April 14, 2009 at 3:00 amSimple scrumptious! Why haven’t I thought to add goat cheese to polenta?!
I’m with Lydia, my favorite side would have to be asparagus—I love *almost* everything about it, except for that *one thing* which I won’t mention any further 😉
Joie de vivre
April 14, 2009 at 3:00 amYou had me at goat cheese, you had me at goat cheese!
Third paragraph, you accidently typed the word severd instead of served. Just thought you’d like to know. Sometimes I miss things like that in my blog and am always embarrassed.
Joey
April 14, 2009 at 3:00 amI would house this shit.
Carissa
April 14, 2009 at 3:00 amI’m not a big fan of cheese (I know, I know. I’m weird!) but I absolutely love polenta! soft or firm, as in this little chicken polenta tartlet recipe I have! I don’t think many people, at least my friends, know what polenta is but more people need to know the joy of polenta because it is soo yummy!
Gudrun
April 14, 2009 at 3:00 amyumm, sounds great! Is the goat cheese flavor very pronounced? My son is weird about cheese, but if it was subtle, I might be able to sneak it in….
Kerstin
April 14, 2009 at 3:00 amWhat a great side dish! I LOVE goat cheese, it just makes everything better 🙂
Kat
April 14, 2009 at 3:00 amThank you for visiting my blog and good luck with Lydia’s Drop In Decorate event! I am reading through your blog and have already bookmarked 5 recipes!! Yum!!!!!!!!
CookiePie
April 14, 2009 at 3:00 amYou had me at “goat cheese” — but add polenta and I’m in heaven!!!
Matt
April 13, 2009 at 3:00 amok… this is going to sound LAME… but I dont care.
My side dishes mainly consist of those Green Giant steamers or canned green beans. Because I am simple… and I love easy.
Food Hunter
April 13, 2009 at 3:00 amThis sounds amazing.
laura
April 13, 2009 at 3:00 amI can so relate to what you’re saying about getting both a main and side dish to the table. I tend to resort to a green salad, but what I love are hot, comforting sides like this one 🙂
Chrissy
April 13, 2009 at 3:00 amYum, I love goat cheese. I often fight with my boyfriend over what to put it in (or on) and when, as he’s not as much of a fan. (I’ll have to make this when he’s not around!) I think I love all side dishes – vegetables, starches, anything. I really like roasted vegetables once it gets warmer. Also orzo or cous cous with peas, roasted red pepper, and slivered almonds.
Lydia (The Perfect Pantry)
April 13, 2009 at 3:00 amAt this time of year, my favorite side dish is asparagus — grilled or roasted, tossed with salt, pepper and olive oil. I could eat them with every meal, hot or cold.
Joanna
April 13, 2009 at 3:00 amMmm, I love polenta but I’ve never tried it with goat cheese! (I usually go the Italian route with lots of parmesean.) I will definitely give this one a try.
Also, I completely agree with you on managing your kitchen energy – when I’m cooking by myself, for myself, I try to focus my attention on one dish (whether it’s the main dish or the side) and keep everything else simple. But since I often have leftovers, I might make more complex sides the next night since the main dish just needs to be reheated.
ksgoodeats
April 13, 2009 at 3:00 amI really need to try polenta, it sounds delicious!
kat
April 13, 2009 at 3:00 amThat does look like some creamy goodness
jshively
April 13, 2009 at 3:00 amPolenta is one of my favorite sides to serve with some smoked pork chops and caramelized onions.
corrinnej
April 13, 2009 at 3:00 amThis is a great recipe! I have one that it is very similar from Chavrie goat cheese… The little difference is lemon zest. It adds a wonderful fresh layer of flavor! So good…. 🙂
Sophie
April 13, 2009 at 3:00 amMMMMMM…Maris! Your polenta dish looks so yummie!!
My favourite side dish is that I have to many!
Paula
April 13, 2009 at 3:00 amThink it would have to be creamy buttery mashed potato everytime!
Melissa
April 13, 2009 at 3:00 amI can’t say I’m a fan of goat cheese as of yet, but I can definitely appreciate the easy side dish. I can also relate to the whole issue of trying to keep track of or time a side (especially when already using the oven yes!!) with a main dish. My favorite is my creamed spinach, but that takes effort. As for simple, it would be roasted potatoes or broccoli or cauliflower. Simple and delicious.
Pearl
April 13, 2009 at 3:00 amwow, i’ve never had polenta, but now i’ll look into it! thank you for the recipe!
beyond
April 13, 2009 at 3:00 ami love polenta. sometimes when i’m hungry i take the polenta package out of the cupboard and put it back again because it takes so long… i feel like making this with the goat cheese. i’ll just have to plan ahead one day and not wait until i’m starving.
Heather
April 13, 2009 at 3:00 amgoat cheese polenta?! are you kidding me?! this sounds AMAZING!
Sara
April 13, 2009 at 3:00 amThis looks great, I’ve been making a lot of polenta lately. I have half a log of goat cheese in the fridge, so I will definitely try this.
elra
April 13, 2009 at 3:00 amSimply delicious Maris. Sometimes I get lazy too, especially on Sunday.
Not sure what my favorite side dish is. Is rice count? I think my favorite is rice, I love rice…
Cheers,
elra
VeggieGirl
April 13, 2009 at 3:00 amOh yes, same here – sometimes simplicity is just how it has to be!! 🙂
Looove polenta!!