Polenta or Cornmeal Mush

Description
Contributed by World Recipes Y-Group

Ingredients

 * 4 cup water
 * 1 teaspoon salt
 * 1½ cup polenta (coarse cornmeal)

Directions

 * 1) Bring the water to a boil, and add the salt.
 * 2) Whisk in the polenta, pouring it in a slow, steady stream so that lumps don't form.
 * 3) Lower the heat, and cook about 30 minutes while stirring.
 * 4) Alternatively, cook the polenta in a double boiler over simmering water for 45 minutes, stirring it every 15 minutes or so.
 * 5) If you wish to serve soft polenta, keep it over the heat in a double boiler until needed.
 * 6) To make firm polenta, pour it into a pan and set aside; after a while, it will cool and firm up.
 * 7) Turn it out of its pan and cut into ½-inch slices.
 * 8) To broil or grill the polenta, brush both sides of each slice with olive oil, and cook until lightly browned.
 * 9) The slices can also be fried in butter or olive oil, until lightly browned or until crisp.
 * 10) Slices can be used as layers in a casserole.