Polenta in 5 Minutes, Really?

I love polenta but had never tried it for breakfast at home thinking it was too much trouble...all that stirring! Then I ran across this great idea from Faith in the Kitchn and gave it a try this morning. If you have a bowl and a microwave and a bag of Red Mill coarse ground cornmeal, you are set!

Quick Bowl of Polenta

Adapted from Faith in The Kitchn

Ingredients

1 cup water
1/4 cup coarse ground cornmeal (I prefer Red Mill, but any brand will do)
Pinch salt
1 teaspoon olive oil, optional (I liked it with the olive oil)
Milk, optional

Equipment

Microwave
Bowl

Instructions

1. Mix the water, cornmeal, salt, and olive oil, if using. Put the bowl, uncovered, in the microwave, and set the microwave for 5 minutes on HIGH.

2. Halfway through cooking, take the polenta out of the microwave and stir thoroughly. Add a drizzle of milk, if desired. Put the bowl back in the microwave and finish the cooking time. Check at 5 minutes; it should be getting rather thick. (It will thicken even more as it cools.)

3. Eat with a little more milk, plus brown sugar and walnuts — or topped with a poached egg!

Additional Notes:
• Microwaves range in power, of course so check it halfway through cooking. If it is already thickening rapidly you may want to only cook it for a minute more. Mine was ready in 4-1/2 minutes.

 Stir after 2-1/2 minutes and add a little milk (optional). Pop in the microwave another 2 minutes or so...

 This is such a nice change from oatmeal!! Do you ever eat polenta for breakfast? I tried it with the walnuts and brown sugar and it was yummy. Next time...a poached egg! What would you add to it?