Make Corn Meal Mush

Thrifty and tummy filling, Cornmeal Mush makes a tasty breakfast, lunch, or dinner. The following steps show how to make Polenta, which is a close cousin to Cornmeal Mush. Both dishes follow the same technique and steps for preparing this Cornmeal based dish.

Ingredients

  • 3 1/2 cups water
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 1/4 cups Cornmeal

Steps

  1. Place a saucepan on the stove top.
  2. Fetch a whisk, wooden spoon and a bowl.
  3. Add water to saucepan.
  4. Add salt.
  5. Bring water to a boil.
  6. Whisk Cornmeal into boiling water.
  7. Bring mixture to a slow boil, and cook until thickened.
  8. Lower the heat.
  9. Switch to the wooden spoon. Continue cooking until mixture thickens. Cook the mush over low heat at just a simmer. Be careful as the mush spatters and can burn tender skin.
  10. Spoon Cornmeal mush into a bowl while hot.
  11. Serve with maple syrup, honey, or brown sugar.

Tips

  • The major difference between Polenta and Cornmeal Mush is Polenta is usually made from a coarser grade of Cornmeal.
  • To fry the Cornmeal mush, pour the cooked mush into a greased loaf pan. Let chill overnight. The next day, slice the cold mush into 1/2 to 1-inch slices. Fry in hot oil, about 1/4-inch of oil, until golden on both sides. Serve with favorite toppings.
  • For Polenta, follow the same basic directions except add Parmesan cheese, or other favorite cheese, to taste. Serve hot with pasta sauce or Osso Buco. Fry Polenta using the same directions given for the Cornmeal Mush.
  • You can also cook this in the microwave oven. Pour water and salt into a 2-quart microwave-safe measuring cup. Bring to a boil on high (100%). Add Cornmeal and start whisking every several minutes until mixture starts to thicken. Use a wooden spoon to continue mixing, if the mixture becomes too thick. It should take 7 to 8 minutes to cook the mush at 100% power.
  • Add about 1/4 cup more water to the mixture if you like thinner Cornmeal. Experiment to see what texture and thickness you like.
  • Freeze boxes of Cornmeal before using. When frozen for several days, this helps prevent bugs developing in the meal.

Warnings

  • Use care when stirring the hot Cornmeal mixture. It splatters and can burn skin.

Things You'll Need

  • Bowl
  • Whisk
  • Measuring cups and spoons
  • Wooden spoon
  • Saucepan
  • Nonstick cooking spray, optional

Related Articles

Sources and Citations

  • VideoJug A video on making Polenta. Shared with permission.
  • The Cornmeal Mush recipe is adapted from the Alber's Cornmeal box.
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