breakfast polenta bar

Do you like polenta?  I do. 
I love it with tons of butter and cheese.  Along side a lovely, tender piece of beef is pure heaven.
So why limit it to dinner only?  Let's make it for breakfast! 
Keep a big pot warm on the stove until everyone wakes up.  Then everyone can help themselves, as they come, and make their own creation. 
Mike and I made this breakfast for two but you can easily make this for a crowd.  This was a Christmas hit when we had both of our families in town.  It's very versatile and everyone can personalize it to suite their breakfast craving.

Now, by now, you should know that I have the sweet tooth and my husband likes the savory. 
So this is "his" and "hers" breakfast polenta :)

Breakfast Polenta Bar

Serves?  This recipe is for 4-6 but please double and triple for crowds!

4 cups water
2 cups whole milk
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 3/4 cups yellow cornmeal, finely ground, or stone-ground polenta
Toppings:
1/2 pound bacon, crisped and crumbled
1 cup loosely packed herbs, whatever variety you like
4-6 eggs, depending on who wants them
1/2 cup cream
1 cinnamon stick
1 cup mixed fresh berries
1 cup mixed nuts, whatever variety you like

Heat water and milk over medium heat until low boil.  Add salt.  Gradually add the cornmeal or polenta, whisking all the while to prevent lumps.  The slower the better!

Whisk until tender and creamy, about 10-15 minutes.  Keep warm on very low heat while you prep the toppings.

Wash, dry and chop the herbs and set aside.  (I used basil, rosemary, thyme, and oregano.)

Poach the eggs slowly and set aside.  For poaching technique, click here.

Heat the cream and the cinnamon stick in a heat-safe container in the microwave until steaming, about 2-3 minutes.  Set aside.

Toast the nuts and chop them coarsely.  Set aside.

Collect all the toppings into little dishes or mise en place bowls and set them up on your breakfast table.

Now, start with a big pile of hot polenta and start building your breakfast!

.....or.....

Guess which one was which :)

Enjoy!