Chestnut Polenta / Grits

Chestnut grits (or polenta) is a quick, delicious, and satisfying base you can make with just a few ingredients and combine with (almost) any other food you can dream up. An alternative for situations where you might otherwise make rice or oatmeal. Centuries before the arrival of corn in Italy from the New World, the original polenta was made with chestnuts!

By Russell Wallack

Ingredients:

  • 3 cups water (can substitute broth if you like)

  • 2 cups coarse chestnut flour

  • 1/2 cup olive oil

  • Salt and pepper to taste

  • Anything else you want to add (In this case I had just braised pork so I diced the fat chunks up super fine)

Steps:

  1. Heat all ingredients besides flour to just before boiling in a wide enamel pan.

  2. Add the flour and lower heat to low-medium.

  3. Stir or whisk until all liquid is absorbed (3-5 minutes)