Polenta is an easy side to make, and complements many meat dishes really well.

All it takes is some corn meal, water, and butter.

Ingredients

• 3 cups water
• 1 tsp salt
• 3/4 cup yellow corn meal
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter

Steps

1. In a pot, add the water and salt, and bring it to a boil.
2. Reduce the heat to low, and slowly whisk in the cornmeal. Stir frequently and try to break up any chunks with the whisk.
3. After about 15 minutes of stirring, the mixture should be fairly thick. Turn off the heat, add the butter, and stir until the butter is melted and well mixed.

You can serve polenta as a bed for many meats, such as braised short ribs like in this photo.