- 4 1/2 cups water
- 1 1/4 teaspoons salt
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 cup instant polenta
- 1 ozfinely grated Parmigiano-Reggiano (1/2 cup)
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- Bring water to a boil with salt and butter in a 4-quart heavy saucepan, then add polenta in a thin stream, whisking. Cook polenta at a bare simmer, whisking with a long-handled whisk and turning down heat as needed to prevent spattering, 5 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in cheese. Serve sprinkled with black pepper.