Creamy Herb Polenta

Prep Time 5 mins

Cook Time 25 mins

Total Time 30 mins

Cuisine: World

Courses: Side dish

Difficulty: Beginner

Description

This polenta is soft, comforting and quietly indulgent, the perfect partner to a rich, slow-cooked bourguignon. Its gentle creaminess balances the stew's depth, allowing the flavours to shine without overpowering them. Served warm and spoonable, it creates a beautiful base for soaking up every last drop of sauce.

It’s also wonderfully unfussy. Polenta rewards patience rather than precision, and once cooked, it can be kept warm while you focus on serving and enjoying the evening. Finished with herbs and a touch of richness, it feels special enough for Valentine’s Day while remaining reassuringly simple.

Ingredients

80 g quick-cook polenta
500 ml vegetable stock
100 ml plant-based milk
1 tbsp vegan butter or olive oil
1 tbsp nutritional yeast
1 tbsp fresh parsley or thyme, finely chopped
Salt and black pepper

Instructions

1
Bring the vegetable stock to a gentle simmer in a saucepan.
2
Slowly whisk in the polenta in a steady stream to avoid lumps.
3
Reduce the heat to low and cook, stirring frequently, for 15–20 minutes until thick, smooth and creamy.
4
Stir in the plant-based milk, vegan butter and nutritional yeast, loosening the polenta to a soft, spoonable consistency.
5
Season with salt and black pepper to taste.
6
Just before serving, fold through the chopped herbs.
7
Serve immediately, spooned into warm bowls or onto plates, with the bourguignon ladled over or alongside.

Nutrition Facts

Servings 2

Serving Size 1

Amount Per Serving
Calories 260kcal

% Daily Value *
Total Fat 8g13%
Saturated Fat 1.6g8%
Sodium 0.6mg1%
Total Carbohydrate 38g13%
Dietary Fiber 3g12%
Sugars 1g
Protein 7g15%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.