polenta
Boiled maize mush
Polenta is a thick porridge made from cornmeal, a staple of northern Italian cooking.
It can be served soft and creamy or cooled until firm, then sliced and grilled or fried.
We had the polenta with braised short ribs.
The dish has ancient origins—earlier versions used other grains before corn arrived from the Americas.
Cob-bearing cereal crop
- gritsBoiled ground maize
- hominyAlkali-processed dried kernels
- masaNixtamalized corn dough
- stone-groundCrushed by rock wheels
Creamy Italian grain dish
- gnocchiSmall potato dumplings
- prosciuttoUncooked cured Italian ham
- pestoUncooked green Italian sauce
- bruschettaGrilled bread with toppings
Lombardy · Piedmont · Northern Italy · trattoria · antipasto · secondo · ossobuco · ragu
Soft, thick mass
- gruelThin watery porridge
- stirredMixed by circular motion
- simmeredCooked at low heat
- thickenedMade more dense
creamy · soft · boiled · pap · farina · congee · hasty pudding · cornmeal mush
Cooked on metal bars
topped · layered · rounds · squares · crostini · crusted · golden · crispy
Dwelling on agricultural land
- peasantLow-status agricultural laborer
- countrySovereign state or territory
- traditionalFollowing long-held customs
- artisanalMade by skilled craftspeople
old-fashioned · hearth · woodfire · regional · heritage · handmade · countryside · provincial
Italian meat-based sauce
- mushroomsSpore-bearing fruiting bodies
- gorgonzolaItalian marbled cheese
- sausageEncased ground meat
- stewSlow-simmered meat dish
game · venison · wild boar · ossobuco · short ribs · pulled pork · shrimp · vegetables
maize
Cob-bearing cereal crop
stone-ground · corn flour · milling · kernel · starch · golden · grainy
risotto
Creamy Italian grain dish
- gnocchiSmall potato dumplings
- prosciuttoUncooked cured Italian ham
- pestoUncooked green Italian sauce
bruschetta · Lombardy · Piedmont · Northern Italy · trattoria · antipasto · secondo · ossobuco · ragu · taleggio
mush
Soft, thick mass
thickened · creamy · soft · boiled · pap · farina · congee · hasty pudding · cornmeal mush
grilled
Cooked on metal bars
sliced · topped · layered · rounds · squares · crostini · crusted · golden · crispy · pan-fried
farmhouse
Dwelling on agricultural land
- peasantLow-status agricultural laborer
- countrySovereign state or territory
- traditionalFollowing long-held customs
artisanal · old-fashioned · hearth · woodfire · regional · heritage · handmade · countryside · provincial · pastoral
ragu
Italian meat-based sauce
- mushroomsSpore-bearing fruiting bodies
- gorgonzolaItalian marbled cheese
- sausageEncased ground meat
stew · game · venison · wild boar · ossobuco · short ribs · pulled pork · shrimp · vegetables · tomato sauce
stirring
Arousing strong emotion
- simmeringCooking below boiling point
- copper potMetallic cooking container
- wooden spoonCarved cooking utensil
water · salted · instant · firm · soft · spreading · cooling · setting · slicing
hearty
Warm and substantial
- warmingIncreasing in temperature
- nourishingPromoting health through food
- homelyUnattractive in appearance
satisfying · soothing · filling · wholesome · cozy · simple · humble · everyday
- Alpine foodfondue, raclette, rosti, cheese fondue, alpine cheese
- Grain Alternativesalmond flour, coconut flour, tapioca, arrowroot, chickpea flour
- Northwest ItalyPiedmont, Lombardy, Liguria, Turin, Milan
- foodsapple, beef, bananas, bacon, banana
- Italian foodpasta, spaghetti, risotto, gnocchi, ravioli
- dishesmeatloaf, fried chicken, mac and cheese, macaroni and cheese, pot pie