Creamy Polenta

Ingredients

Vegetable cooking spray

1 cup milk

1 1/3 cups half-and-half, divided

2 tablespoons butter, divided

1/3 cup coarse polenta, or corn grits

Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

1/2 cup grated Parmesan

Special Equipment: slow cooker

Spray the insert of a slow cooker with cooking spray (for easier clean up) and preheat on high.

In a medium saucepan, add the milk, 1 cup half-and-half, 1 tablespoon butter, and polenta. Season with salt and bring to a boil over medium-high heat, whisking constantly to keep the mixture lump-free. Boil for 2 to 3 minutes. Pour the mixture into the slow cooker and cook on high for 2 hours, stirring once or twice per hour. Once you are ready to serve, open the slow cooker and whisk in the remaining 1 tablespoon butter, remaining 1/3 cup half-and-half, and Parmesan. Salt and pepper conservatively since the polenta will be served with a robustly salted dish.