Polenta Bowl with Charred Corn Salad
This polenta is super savory, the cojita cheese gives it a salty bite and the sweet summer corn salad is bright, crunchy and amazing!
The first time I made polenta was for my Sis-in-Law Mitzi. She had just returned from traveling to Europe and she fell in love with the meal. Her time in Europe was spent reflecting life and drinking in the sites. She enjoyed polenta at an amazing Bistro in Italy and announced that she MUST have it for her 56 birthday party and I was happy to give it a go!
I've made it and loved it ever since. I've always associated polenta with Mitzi and that party is one of my most fond memories. She was so happy that day, soaking up all the love from her family and friends!
Mitzi would definitely love this new recipe for polenta. I'm celebrating some delicious summer flavors with this yummy Polenta Bowl with Charred Corn Salad.
Does this look yummy and delicious or what?
This polenta is super savory, the cojita cheese gives it a salty bite and the sweet summer corn salad is bright, crunchy and amazing!
Truly this is a delicious bowl of goodness!
If you've never made polenta before, don't sweat it! Polenta is easy to make! You measure out the polenta and pour it into bowling chicken stock and whisk - this is so simple, your kids could totally do it (with supervision of course!). You just have to keep stirring it so it doesn't get lumpy. Nothing hard about that, right?
While the polenta is cooking make the salad.
When we bbq corn, I always make a couple of extra ears. Put the corn directly on the grill - when you hear it "pop" it's ready to be turned. You don't want it blackened completely, just get some nice color and char on it!
Carefully slice the kernels from the cob and add them to a bowl, mince the onion and chop the cilantro. Zest and juice the lime and add a squeeze of honey to the salad and mix it together well.
When the polenta is done, divide it between four bowls. Top each bowl with a spoonful of salad and some crumbled cojita cheese.
If you haven't used cojita cheese before, it is salty and savory (fabulous crumbled over enchiladas and nachos!) - I encourage you to give it a try! If you can't find it, your best substitute would be feta cheese.
If you love this meal, then you will definitely want to check these out; Creamy Polenta - so rich an yummy! or this super delicious Vegetable Lentil Stew!
Polenta Bowl with Charred Corn Salad
Ingredients
- 1 cup polenta
- 4 cups chicken stock
- ½ cup cojita cheese crumbled (divided)
- 2 tablespoon butter
- Charred Corn Salad
- 2 ears corn, charred kernels removed
- ¼ cup red onion minced
- ¼ cup cilantro minced
- 1 teaspoon lime zest
- juice lime juice of half of the lime
- 1 teaspoon honey
Instructions
- In a large pan heat the chicken stock over high heat. When it comes to a boil, add the polenta to the boiling stock stirring constantly to eliminate lumps. Return to a boil, reduce heat to medium low. Stir frequently and cook for appxoximately 20 minutes or until the polenta is tender.
- While the polenta is cooking make the salad. Remove the kernels from the cob, mince the onion, chop the cilantro. Add ingredients to a large bowl.
- Zest and juice the lime. Add the lime, honey and salt to the salad and mix well to combine.
- When the polenta is tender, remove from the heat. Stir in the butter and all but 2 tablespoon of the crumbled cojita cheese. Stir until combined. The Donita cheese will not completely melt.
- Divide the polenta between four bowls - add a couple of spoonfuls of the salad to each bowl along with the remaining cojita cheese.
- Garnish with additional cilantro if desired.
Nutrition
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The birthday party we threw for Mitzi was sadly her last. She had been diagnosed with lung cancer two years prior. This unique type of cancer is not associated with smoking but eats the lungs from the outside in. It mainly attacks women in their fifties and is most often fatal. Mitzi passed away later that year. RIP my friend and sis Mitzi - we love you and miss you!
Sandi says
I just discoverd Cotija cheese. I bet it tastes amazing on this polenta bowl. This is such a fresh idea...I think you should start a new trend with polenta bowls 🙂
Bowl Me Over says
I LOVE polenta and I like the way you think! Pumpkin Polenta is on the horizon.... 😀
Ashlyn says
I am loving this take on polenta! Mexican flavors are my absolute favorite so I would devour this bowl of goodness!
Bowl Me Over says
Such a salty/sweet/creamy goodness - truly one a favorite, thank you Ashlyn!!!
Justine says
Mmm, i totally love polenta and charred corn and everything else in this bowl!
Bowl Me Over says
It's the best combo, I hope you give it a try Justine!!
Jennifer A Stewart says
This is seriously making me drool!! We do the same thing with our corn on the grill. I love that smoky flavor and it pairs well with that salty Cojita cheese!
Bowl Me Over says
Thank you Jennifer - I agree, it's an amazing combo!
Lisa@Lisa's Dinnertime Dish says
This sounds amazing! I've always been nervous about cooking polenta and having it turn to glue, but you make it sounds so easy and it looks so creamy and delicious! I'm going to have to give this a try soon!
Bowl Me Over says
You can totally make this Lisa! Polenta is so flavorful and pairs with just about everything - if you give it a try, swing back by and let me know what you think!1
Julie says
You make the most amazing recipes. I would love this bowl and the roasted corn would be delicious in anything! It just screams summer and even my Italian would love it!
Bowl Me Over says
Hitting the best of both worlds Julie! 🙂 Thank you so much for such a nice compliment - right back at ya my friend!!
Christie says
Polenta is so delicious! It's a great base for anything, especially this salad.
Bowl Me Over says
Totally Christie - right with you there! Thanks so much for stopping by!
debi at Life Currents says
This is a great summertime bowl! I love all the wonderful flavors you have here.
Bowl Me Over says
Thanks Debi - polenta is such a lovely meal!!