Yum
My husband declared this “The most insanely delicious Polenta Ever!” Yes, that’s what he called it! I cook a lot and my family always is complimentary (ok, maybe not ALWAYS…there have been a few mishaps) about whatever I cook. So, when I get a reaction like I did the other night to this polenta, it made me very happy. My 7 year old also declared it “delicious” and had 3 servings-greens and all.
Like so many of my recipes, this side dish came together with what I had on hand. I was in desperate need of a grocery order, and was out of all my “usuals”. Looking in the cabinet, I realized I had two mason jars filled with polenta from my last CSA pantry package. I had some swiss chard and a can of white beans. Hmm…I definitely thought I could do something with these. No chard? Use whatever greens you have on hand!
Polenta with Swiss Chard and White Beans
You may also like these vegetarian side dishes:
Polenta with Swiss Chard and White Beans

1 cup Polenta 3 1/2 cups Water 1 Cup Organic whole milk 1 Tablespoon unsalted butter 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese 2 Tablespoons Extra Virgin Olive Oil 1 bunch Swiss chard, or other leafy green, chopped 2 shallots, sliced thin 1 can organic white beans, drained and rinsed Sea salt and fresh ground pepper, to taste
Ingredients
- 1 cup Polenta
- 3 1/2 cups Water
- 1 Cup Organic whole milk
- 1 Tablespoon unsalted butter
- 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
- 2 Tablespoons Extra Virgin Olive Oil
- 1 bunch Swiss chard, or other leafy green, chopped
- 2 shallots, sliced thin
- 1 can organic white beans, drained and rinsed
- Sea salt and fresh ground pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Make the polenta:
- Bring the water and milk to a boil in a medium saucepan.
- Whisk in the polenta and continue to whisk until it thickens.
- Cover, reduce heat all the way down, and simmer for about 30 minutes.
- Whisk every 10 minutes or so to prevent the polenta from sticking. You can add some more water if it's too thick.
- Stir in the butter and parmesan cheese. Season with sea salt and pepper.
- Make the greens:
- Heat olive oil in a skillet.
- Add shallots and saute until softened.
- Add garlic and cook another minute.
- Add the Greens, a little sea salt and pepper and toss to combine.
- Cook until greens are wilted.
- Add in the beans and cook until beans are heated through, about 4 minutes.
- Put polenta in a bowl and top with the Chard and beans mixture.
Would love to hear what you think!