Helping Hands in the Kitchen: Creamy Breakfast Polenta with Strawberries

Close-up of a creamy bowl of polenta.

This week, we’re excited to share a delightful and creamy breakfast recipe: Polenta with Strawberries. This dish combines the comforting texture of polenta with the natural sweetness of strawberries, making it a perfect way to kick off your morning.

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Creamy Breakfast Polenta with Strawberries Recipe

Servings: 4
Estimated Cost: $5.25
Cost Per Serving: $1.31

Equipment:

  • Cutting board
  • Knife
  • Medium pot with lid
  • Whisk (or fork)
  • Spoon

Ingredients:

  • 2 cups water
  • 2 cups whole milk or non-dairy milk
  • 3/4 tsp salt
  • 1 cup polenta (or grits)
  • 1 cup fresh strawberries, quartered
  • 1/4 cup brown sugar
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 4 tbsp walnuts (or other nuts of choice), chopped

Directions:

  1. Boil Liquid: In a medium pot, bring water, milk, and salt to a boil.
  2. Add Polenta: Add the polenta, whisking quickly to break up all lumps.
  3. Cook: Reduce heat to low. Continue to whisk while the mixture thickens, scraping the bottom and sides to avoid sticking or burning.
  4. Simmer: Continue whisking for 5-10 minutes or until the polenta has a pudding-like consistency. Remove from heat, cover, and set aside.
  5. Prepare Strawberries: While the polenta is cooking, quarter the strawberries and set aside.
  6. Check Polenta: Stir the polenta. The texture should be thicker, similar to oatmeal.
  7. Add Flavor: Once the polenta reaches the desired consistency, stir in the brown sugar and vanilla extract. Taste and season with salt as needed.
  8. Serve: Spoon 1/4 of the polenta into a bowl. Top with the quartered strawberries and 1 tbsp of chopped walnuts. Enjoy!

Health Benefits:

  • Strawberries: A great source of Vitamin C and manganese, strawberries are high in antioxidants that benefit heart health and help control blood sugar. The fiber in strawberries also improves the digestive system.
  • Walnuts: High in omega-3 fatty acids and alpha-linolenic acid, walnuts are a great plant source of these nutrients, which can help lower the risk of heart disease. Polyphenols and other plant compounds in walnuts also help reduce inflammation.
Left: A bunch of strawberries
Right: A bowl

References: Recipe from Reanetta Perkins, 2023, Maryland University of Integrative Health