Monday, July 27

Sweet Mascarpone Polenta

One of my favorite memories as a child is my grandmother making me mamaliga, a romanian dish. It is very similar to polenta but since I can't find the real mamaliga in the states, polenta will just have to suffice. I will definitely post a mamaliga dish just like my grandmother made it. She would pour the "polenta" on to a big plate and make a big pile. Then comes the butter. Then comes the cottage cheese. And, if I was lucky I would get a fried egg on top! It was hot and creamy but mixed with the cool cottage cheese, amazing. I would normally eat it for lunch or dinner... ah the joys of breakfast at any time of day...

With this polenta, I decided to make it a little different. I like polenta served as a bed for fish, meat or greens but then I thought, why can't it be for dessert? (I also really wanted to use these new blue dessert cups I bought at the thrift store! Aren't they pretty?) So, to sweeten up the deal I mixed in some creamy mascarpone cheese and topped it with a dollop of strawberry preserves. It came out so creamy and delicious. This is yet another way to pretend to bake for an easy dessert, just like my roasted plum dessert!! Sweet!

Sweet Mascarpone Polenta
2 cups polenta
1 tablespoon mascarpone
splash of milk

1 Cook polenta according to directions in a medium saucepan and stir in milk, then mascarpone until creamy.
2 Serve with jam or preserves for dessert.

34 comments:

  1. Christo GonzalesJuly 27, 2009 at 9:17 PM

    you can pretend to bake any ol'time - this looks so satisfying...

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  2. maybelles momJuly 27, 2009 at 9:28 PM

    What an intersting dish--it looks delicious. ANd, any famiy dish always tastes better.

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  3. Nutmeg NannyJuly 27, 2009 at 11:02 PM

    This looks super tasty. I don't think I have ever had sweet polenta. Well let me take that back. Where I was raised we ate polenta but always called it "mush" and it came in a long tube and was already made up. You would slice it into pieces, fry it up in butter and then eat it with maple syrup...so it's kinnda like sweet polenta. Although I'm sure yours is a lot better :)

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  4. LeslieJuly 27, 2009 at 11:27 PM

    Getting new bowls= having to make something yummy to go in them!!!

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  5. CoriJuly 27, 2009 at 11:34 PM

    I have yet to really delve into the wonderful world of polenta, but this looks yummy. Mascarpone is so absolutely lovely. It makes everything it touches turn to gold. It's my Rumpelstiltskin (SP?).

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  6. Winchester ManorJuly 27, 2009 at 11:44 PM

    Hi Zoe,

    Love your creative take on everything and this looks yummy. I have never had polenta and it looks like I've been missing out! Love your new dessert cups...so cute!

    xoxo
    Karyn

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  7. Rosa's Yummy YumsJuly 28, 2009 at 1:04 AM

    Ann interesting recipe! That sounds and looks really scrumptious!

    Cheers,

    Rosa

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  8. AnonymousJuly 28, 2009 at 2:49 AM

    Neveer thought of sweet polenta neither! The idea seems interesting!

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  9. sunitaJuly 28, 2009 at 4:55 AM

    The dessert looks so pretty Zoe...love the cup :-)

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  10. ♥peachkins♥July 28, 2009 at 6:30 AM

    It looks pretty..and nice shot. That's a really pretty presentation.

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  11. ParitaJuly 28, 2009 at 6:42 AM

    That looks so delicious! love that cup :)

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  12. graceJuly 28, 2009 at 10:50 AM

    i absolutely love when dishes can suffice for any meal and/or snack. i absolutely love when dishes are passed from generation to generation. i absolutely love the bit of jam on top—it’s good for both eye-appeal and taste!!

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  13. AnonymousJuly 28, 2009 at 11:40 AM

    I've never tried a sweet preparation of polenta before - sounds amazing with mascarpone!

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  14. ~~louise~~July 28, 2009 at 11:42 AM

    What a sweet twist on dessert. I'll be saving this recipe. Simply delightful (the new dessert dish too!!) Thanks for sharing...

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  15. FaithJuly 28, 2009 at 2:55 PM

    I'm a huge fan of breakfast any time of the day! This looks gorgeous.

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  16. theUngourmetJuly 28, 2009 at 4:13 PM

    Oh my gosh! This looks so terrific! I haven't had polenta this way. I would love it!

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  17. CucinistaJuly 28, 2009 at 5:53 PM

    Ooh, gimme gimme gimme! I have done rice pudding but not polenta pudding. Great idea.

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  18. SomaJuly 28, 2009 at 7:01 PM

    what a beautiful dish! A very unique one for me too.

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  19. AnnieJuly 28, 2009 at 8:28 PM

    Great idea to serve polenta as a dessert! And I love those pretty blue dessert cups. Just adorable.

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  20. Stacey SnacksJuly 28, 2009 at 10:27 PM

    Zoe,
    My grandmother used to make mamaliga too.
    She was not Romanian, but an Eastern European Jew, so I guess it's all the same anyway.
    I never hear anyone call it that, glad to hear that funny word again!
    Beautiful photos!

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  21. JulianaJuly 28, 2009 at 10:39 PM

    Look just so yummie...love the simplicity of the dessert and yet so tasty...lovely. Great pictures as well.

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  22. Noob CookJuly 28, 2009 at 11:29 PM

    such beautiful colours. A simple yet delicious dessert.

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  23. AnonymousJuly 29, 2009 at 2:30 AM

    I know this is a silly thing to say, but that glass is really cool. I like it.

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  24. My comfort food networkJuly 29, 2009 at 10:50 AM

    Love the polenta dessert and the cup that comes with it. You are getting lucky with your thrifty find!

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  25. Nazarina AJuly 29, 2009 at 5:13 PM

    This is just too beautiful to eat but heh, I am digging in with my eyes!

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  26. Ingrid_3BsJuly 29, 2009 at 10:22 PM

    Looks good. Sounds good. I'm gonna give it a try! I have some mascarpone cheese that's needing to be used up.
    ~ingrid

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  27. EmilyJuly 30, 2009 at 4:33 AM

    What a simple dessert, but wow, does it look delicious! I have those dishes!

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  28. AnonymousJuly 30, 2009 at 6:22 PM

    yum at usage of mascarpone anything! yum yum yum!

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  29. OlgaJuly 31, 2009 at 2:41 PM

    This could be perfect for breakfast, brunch or dessert.

    I've never considered making sweet polenta, but really should.

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  30. test it commAugust 3, 2009 at 2:15 PM

    The mascarpone would make the polenta even creamier!

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  31. CarrieAugust 7, 2009 at 2:12 PM

    Interesting! I never would have thought of this. I love those strawberry preserves on top!

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  32. Ju (The Little Teochew)August 8, 2009 at 7:47 AM

    Absolutely, positively gorgeous! Your presentation is perfect :)

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  33. pigpigscornerAugust 8, 2009 at 9:57 AM

    Looks really creamy! I've never tried polenta before, I'll have to try it!

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  34. Sam@BingeNYCAugust 25, 2009 at 1:33 PM

    I've only ever had savory polenta before - this looks delicious! I'll have to try it soon. Yum.

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