Polenta with Speck

Preparation

Pour the water and milk into a deep cooking pot and bring the mixture to a boil. Add salt and oil. Slowly whisk in the polenta flour to prevent lumps from forming. Go on whisking until the polenta has become firm. Proceed to cook it slowly, stirring it from time to time with a wooden spoon. The polenta should come unstuck from the bottom of the pot. Round off by stirring in the cold butter. Dish up the polenta. Sprinkle the grated alpine cheese, then pour the brown butter over the top. Spread the slices of Speck on the polenta and garnish with rosemary before serving.

You can use polenta as an accompaniment under another form: once it has been cooked, shape it into small dumplings or press it into a baking tin. Leave it to cool, then cut it into slices and fry these in olive oil. If you have only little time at your disposal, you can use instant polenta, which cooks in just a few minutes. Polenta is a superb accompaniment to goulash, game, roast meat, and Chanterelle mushrooms. You can use Gorgonzola instead of alpine cheese.