grits, polenta, cream of wheat is there anything else like that???????

Question

what else would you recommend that is similar to these? besides oatmeal. the reason wny i am asking is because there are so many interesting foods in this world that maybe you know about and i do not.

for example, i went to this restaurant last week and ordered roast duck with a cassis sauce. it came with a side of something that was similar to mashed potatoes and grits, yet it was neither.... the waitress just told me that there was cornmeal in it. and that was all she would tell me!! i really wanna know what it was!!! it was just so darn deelicious!!

Answer 1

The Venezuelans make something called "arepa".
It's white cornmeal mixed with water to make a thick paste.
Its shaped kind of like a burger and fried in oil and then placed into the oven for about 20 minutes. It forms a kind of crunchy outside and the inside is hot and soft. We cut it in half and put either butter or cheese, really anything. Its treated like a sandwich I guess.

Answer 2

It was probably creamy (not fried) polenta:

Creamy polenta:
5 cups water
Salt
1 cup stone-ground cornmeal
1/4 cup heavy cream
1/4 pound cream cheese or mascarpone
2 tablespoons butter or olive oil
Freshly ground black pepper
1/2 cup finely grated Parmigiano-Reggiano

In a large, heavy saucepan, bring water to boil with salt, to taste. While whisking constantly, pour the cornmeal into the water in a steady stream until thoroughly combined. Continue whisking to make certain there are no lumps of unincorporated cornmeal. Reduce the heat to low, cover and cook for 20 minutes, uncovering frequently to stir.

Stir in the heavy cream, cream cheese, and butter and continue to cook, covered, another 20 minutes or so, stirring often. When the polenta is smooth, with no taste of rawness, add salt and pepper, to taste (if polenta seems too thick, you may dilute with a bit of water or milk), and serve garnished with the grated cheese.

Yield: 6 servings

Enjoy!

Answer 3

There's an Indian dish made of lentils, spices and Ghee(sp?-clarified butter). It's usually served with Nan (again sp?) bread and it is so freaking good. You have to try it. It kind of has the consistency of oatmeal or mashed potatoes.

There's also tapioca pudding!

Answer 4

Cous-cous is one of those squishy-gritty foods. There's some type of corn meal mash - I've had it at Mexican restaurants. Then there's farina - they make dumplings out of that stuff.
It's all so hideous to me - the taste may be there but that texture is horrific!!

Answer 5

I know you said no oat meal but mapel and brown sugar oatmeal with honey or syrup in it or peach oatmeal.