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Recipes » Creamy Polenta with Corn and Thyme

Creamy Polenta with Corn and Thyme

By Kate Morgan Jackson

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This easy recipe for polenta with corn and thyme pairs sweet corn with creamy polenta and fresh thyme for a side dish brimming with flavor!

polenta with corn and thyme

PIN this recipe for Creamy Polenta with Corn and Thyme now.. So you can make it later!

Polenta!  I think of it as the neglected side dish.

Sure, potatoes and rice are all wonderful in their ways, but they get all the love and attention, side dish-wise, and that poor old box of cornmeal sits neglected on the shelf day after day…so here I am to speak up for polenta in all its easy, creamy, dreamy wonderfulness.

Basic polenta is a snap to make, and a couple of handfuls of corn, along with a some butter and Parmesan cheese and fresh herbs takes it over the top.

fresh thyme

(Herbs are just so dang pretty, aren’t they?)

Here’s how you make This comfort food recipe!

STEP ONE: Grab that lonely box of cornmeal (you can use any kind, just make sure it’s the fine-ground kind.  Otherwise you will be making grits, which are also wonderful, but we’re after polenta here!).

STEP 2: Boil up some water mixed with milk, and whisk, whisk, whisk in the cornmeal.   You’ll want to stir it for about five minutes until it is smooth and creamy.

STEP 3: Now comes the part that takes it from good to great: toss in about one cup of corn kernels (fresh if you can find it), some butter and a handful of grated Parmesan cheese. 

STEP 4: A little salt and pepper to taste, and finally, about a tablespoon of fresh thyme.

Now THAT’S a side dish…move on over, mashed potatoes.  The polenta is in town!

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polenta with corn and thyme

Creamy Polenta with Corn and Thyme


★★★★★ 5 from 1 reviews
  • Author: Kate Morgan Jackson
  • Prep Time: 5 minutes
  • Cook Time: 5 minutes
  • Total Time: 10 minutes
  • Yield: 4 1x
  • Category: Side Dish
  • Method: Stovetop
  • Cuisine: American
  • Diet: Vegetarian
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Description

This easy recipe for polenta with corn and thyme pairs sweet corn with creamy polenta and the fresh taste of thyme for a side dish brimming with flavor!


Ingredients

  • 1 cup milk
  • 1 1/2 cup water
  • 1/2 cup fine cornmeal
  • 1 cup corn kernels
  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • Sea salt and fresh ground pepper to taste
  • 1 tablespoon fresh thyme, chopped, plus extra for garnish

Instructions

  1. Bring the milk and water to a boil in medium pot. Pour the cornmeal into the pot, whisking briskly as you go. Whisk it all up until it is smooth and creamy, about 5 minutes.
  2. Add in the corn, butter and cheese and stir for one more minute. Give it a taste and add salt and pepper if you think  it needs it. Stir in the thyme and serve it up!

Notes

Need to add something to your kitchen equipment to make this recipe? Below are some of the items we used in the Framed Cooks kitchen to help cook this up. These are affiliate links to things we use and love, which helps to pay for all that bacon I keep buying!

Equipment We Used For This Recipe

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2345.8 g203.5 mg11.3 g6.6 g0 g25.8 g1.6 g8.4 g28.6 mg

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Parmesan Polenta with Sweet Tomato Sauce
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Shredded Chicken with Sage and Polenta
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Shredded Chicken with Sage and Polenta
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Tomato Mozzarella Polenta
This easy recipe for tomato mozzarella polenta adds sweet simmered tomatoes and cubed mozzarella cheese to creamy polenta for the perfect side dish or comfort food supper. Flavorful and delicious!
Tomato Mozzarella Polenta
This easy recipe for tomato mozzarella polenta adds sweet simmered tomatoes and cubed mozzarella cheese to creamy polenta for the perfect side dish or comfort food supper. Flavorful and delicious!
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Kate Morgan Jackson

Hi there!  I’m Kate, and I’m a recipe writer, food photographer and devoted bacon lover.  I started Framed Cooks in 2009, and my mission is to create and share family-friendly recipes that make cooking both easy and fun…yes, I said FUN!  My kitchen is my happy place, and I want yours to be that place too.  And if you make this recipe, I would love you to tag @FramedCooks on Instagram so I can see the deliciousness!

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Published on November 24, 2020

Good for: Comfort Foods, Thanksgiving

Last Post:
Instant Pot Cream Cheese Mashed Potatoes
Next Post:
Mashed Potato Gnocchi

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Comments

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  1. Penny says

    November 25, 2020 at 9:41 am

    Hi Kate, are you going to make a recipe book? I just love your blog and a peek into your life!
    Penny

    Reply
    • Kate Morgan Jackson says

      November 25, 2020 at 1:23 pm

      Hi Penny, and thank you so much for your kind words! I kind of think of this website as my recipe book, so no plans as of yet – but I hope you keep visiting my recipes here! :)

      Reply
  2. Theresa Murphy says

    November 25, 2020 at 10:32 pm

    Have all the things on my to-do list for today for the Big Meal tomorrow checked off so relaxing with a glass of wine and a peak at Framed Cooks. Sorry to say I won’t be making this polenta as part of our turkey day meal but I’m filing it away for a future meal. Happy Thanksgiving to you and the Southern husband, daughter and son-in-law!

    Reply
  3. Martha in KS says

    November 26, 2020 at 12:52 pm

    I’ll be making this polenta soon. Today I’m making a turkey breast with all the trimmings for my niece & her family. Hope you have a Happy Thanksgiving in your new home.

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Kate Morgan Jackson says

      November 30, 2020 at 10:53 am

      HI Martha – I hope you and your family had a delicious Thanksgiving! xo!

      Reply

Hi, I’m Kate! I’m a recipe writer, food photographer and devoted bacon lover. I’m so glad you’re here!

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