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:

Christo Gonzales said...

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

maybelles mom said...

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

Nutmeg Nanny said...

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 :)

Leslie said...

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

Cori said...

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?).

Winchester Manor said...

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

Rosa's Yummy Yums said...

Ann interesting recipe! That sounds and looks really scrumptious!

Cheers,

Rosa

Anonymous said...

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

sunita said...

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

♥peachkins♥ said...

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

Parita said...

That looks so delicious! love that cup :)

grace said...

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!!

Anonymous said...

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

~~louise~~ said...

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

Faith said...

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

theUngourmet said...

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

Cucinista said...

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

Soma said...

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

Annie said...

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

Stacey Snacks said...

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!

Juliana said...

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

Noob Cook said...

such beautiful colours. A simple yet delicious dessert.

Unknown said...

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

My comfort food network said...

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

Nazarina A said...

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

Ingrid_3Bs said...

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

Emily said...

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

Anonymous said...

yum at usage of mascarpone anything! yum yum yum!

Olga said...

This could be perfect for breakfast, brunch or dessert.

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

test it comm said...

The mascarpone would make the polenta even creamier!

Carrie said...

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

Ju (The Little Teochew) said...

Absolutely, positively gorgeous! Your presentation is perfect :)

pigpigscorner said...

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

Sam@BingeNYC said...

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