Get the best of POPSUGAR
Fitness — in your inbox!

Help us customize your newsletter by selecting your interests (optional):

Healthy Recipe Food Yoga Working Out

Recipe for Chai Spiced Polenta Warm Breakfast Cereal

Oatmeal Alternative: Chai Spiced Polenta

March 30, 2008

Sometimes warm oatmeal seems too heavy and mundane when it comes to a Spring weekend breakfast or brunch. I like to mix it up and make some polenta and adding spices used in chai tea make it seems extra special – not to mention tasty.

Polenta is cornmeal (I've heard it called "Italian grits"); it is a low fat food and full of potassium. Plus a half cup contains 5 grams of fiber, as well as 5 grams of protein. Cardamom, is one of my favorite spices and I like any excuse to use it. It is good for digestion and might just help spice up your sex life too, due to its aphrodisiac qualities, although they have yet to be proven.

To see the recipe just read more.

Adapted from Esalen Cookbook

Chai Spiced Polenta

Ingredients

4 cup low fat milk
3 tablespoons amber agave nectar (or 1/4 cup honey)
1/8 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoons ground cardamom
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 tablespoon fresh grated ginger
3/4 cup polenta

Directions

A spicy twist for a warm breakfast cereal, that with some fresh fruit could make a dessert as well.

Bring milk, honey, spices salt to a boil. Stir frequently to avoid burning the milk.
Pour polenta slowly into milk, while whisking the liquid briskly.
Lower the heat to a simmer and cook for 10 to 15 minutes.
Serve warm. I like to top it with mango or strawberries or both.

Serves 4

25 Comments

kiddylnd 5 years 6 weeks

Okay, I've now made this (found cardamom on the cheap by getting it in the bulk food section) several times. It is TO DIE FOR!!! I add a vanilla bean to the milk and let start to simmer before adding in the other spices. I also use just a tad less ginger. If you haven't made this yet - you need to! :drool:

POPSUGAR Food 5 years 6 weeks

That recipe sounds pretty good, but the photo is amazing!!! if it tastes as good as it looks, I'm in!

kiddylnd 5 years 7 weeks

Well I was going to make this but cardamom is pretty spendy. Anyone have a substitute idea? Could I just omit it?

nancita 5 years 7 weeks

That looks delicious! I never thought of eating polenta for breakfast but it sounds like a great idea, but you had me at "chai spiced."

pinkmermaid23 5 years 7 weeks

awesome! I was just thinking about something new to try for breakfast!

michlny 5 years 7 weeks

interesting. is polenta as healthy as steel cut oats?

renaimarie 5 years 7 weeks

This sounds AMAZING

renaimarie 5 years 7 weeks

This sounds AMAZING

elle86 5 years 7 weeks

looks yummy....

elle86 5 years 7 weeks

looks yummy....

GlowingMoon 5 years 7 weeks

Sounds good!

GlowingMoon 5 years 7 weeks

Sounds good!

aimeeb 5 years 7 weeks

Never had it...

aimeeb 5 years 7 weeks

Never had it...

k_izzle 5 years 7 weeks

That sounds amazing! I'm going to have to try it!

Goody 5 years 7 weeks

hmm...not sure about this one but i will add it to the drawer..

Spectra 5 years 7 weeks

Sounds really yummy. I will add that if you don't want lumpy polenta, stir it constantly or you will definitely get lumps! I remember eating grits as a kid and having them with salt and pepper and a little butter on them.

POPSUGAR Fitness 5 years 7 weeks

So sorry that I forgot to mention how much polenta :) 3/4 cup polenta and it is in the recipe now. You can find polenta in the Italian section of your grocery store or in bulk bins as well. Sometimes it is kept with dry goods like flour. Just had some leftovers for breakfast - just add a little extra milk and heat up microwave.

POPSUGAR Fitness 5 years 7 weeks

So sorry that I forgot to mention how much polenta :)3/4 cup polenta and it is in the recipe now. You can find polenta in the Italian section of your grocery store or in bulk bins as well. Sometimes it is kept with dry goods like flour.Just had some leftovers for breakfast - just add a little extra milk and heat up microwave.