Parmigiano and Black Pepper Polenta

Ingredients:

Makes 4 to 6 side-dish servings.

• 4 and 1/2 cups water

• 1 and 1/4 teaspoons salt

• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter

• 1 cup instant polenta

• 1 oz finely grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese (1/2 cup)

• 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Directions:

1. Bring water to a boil with salt and butter in a 4-quart heavy saucepan, then add polenta in a thin stream, whisking.

2. Cook polenta at a bare simmer, whisking with a long-handled whisk and turning down heat as needed to prevent spattering, 5 minutes.

3. Remove from heat and stir in cheese.

4. Serve sprinkled with black pepper.