This rich and indulgent polenta recipe from the Aosta Valley is mountain cooking at its best. The polenta is mixed with butter, milk and the region's famous Fontina cheese, making it a perfect side dish to rich stews such as Carbonnade Valdostana.
80g of fontina cheese, or another alpine cheese such as Emmental, Toma or Taleggio
80g of unsalted butter, softened, plus a little extra melted butter for drizzling
salt
freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
Step 1
Bring the water to the boil and add plenty of salt. Whisk in the polenta and simmer for 45 minutes, stirring often to break up any lumps. If the polenta becomes too thick and starts sticking, add a little more water
Step 2
Remove the rind from the cheese (if it has one) and dice into small cubes
Step 3
Stir the milk into the polenta to loosen, then add the cheese and butter and continue stirring until melted. Taste for seasoning and serve with plenty of black pepper (and a little more melted butter) on top