This corn meal will enhance your ethnic creations. Polenta is so versatile it can be served for breakfast lunch dinner or as an appetizer. To prepare , in salted , boiling water add polenta ( polenta to water ratio of 1:2 or for thicker consistency a ratio of 1:3 ) and cook for 3 minutes , stirring until thickened without lumps. Serve hot polenta on a plate and optionally add sour cream , cheese , melted butter , liquid jam.