Quick Garlic-Parmesan Polenta

Thanks to that cooking class I went to in early August, one of my new favorite things to cook is polenta.  It's really pretty fast and it makes a delicious side dish; I think of it as slightly more sophisticated than mashed potatoes.  This particular recipe pairs well with pork or chicken that have Italian seasonings, though the flavors are mild enough to go with anything!


Ingredients:

• 1 cup quick-cooking polenta
• 3 cups water
• 2 chicken boullion cubes
• 3 oz grated parmesan
• 1.5 tbsp butter
• 1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper
• 1 clove garlic, smashed but still whole
• chopped parsley, to garnish 

Start by boiling the water, the boullion cubes, and the clove of garlic in a saucepan.  When it boils, remove the garlic clove and add the butter to melt it.   Turn the burner down to medium-low, then grab a whisk and start stirring in the polenta.  Read the package to determine how long it takes to cook, but 5 to 7 minutes is pretty standard.  Whisk constantly for the first couple minutes and then frequently during the rest of the cooking time.      When the polenta is fully cooked, turn off the heat and add the pepper and parmesan.  Taste it to see if it needs salt, but remember that the cheese and boullion cubes have already added a lot of salt.  Finally, garnish with the parsley and serve!