By Martha Rose Shulman
- Total Time
- 1 hour 10 minutes (mostly unsupervised), plus 4 to 24 hours for soaking
- Rating
- 4(25)
- Notes
- Read community notes
Teff is a challenging grain to work with. The flavor is strong, the grains tiny, and the mixture stiffens up very quickly once the grains are cooked. The chef Jason Bond makes a comforting teff polenta at his Bondir restaurants in Cambridge and Concord, Mass. He cooks the teff on top of the stove, in milk, and adds a finely chopped chipotle chile to the mix, which contributes a nice smoky/hot flavor. I liked the idea of teff polenta, and tried a few different methods for it. Teff will cook up in about 20 minutes on top of the stove, but if you use the oven-baked method outlined here, modeled on the method I often use for cornmeal polenta, you will get a creamier result. The oven method takes much longer, but the time is unsupervised – no frequent stirring as you must do on the top of the stove. This method doesn’t work so well if you use milk, however, because the milk forms too much skin in the oven, which forms curds when you stir the mixture (though I do like the flavor of the teff cooked in milk a lot). I tested the recipe using both stock and water, and liked both results equally. The chipotle adds a nice smoky/spicy flavor to the teff, but you can leave it out and just focus on the nutty flavor of the teff alone, with the hazelnut oil. I love the toasted hazelnut oil finish; it harmonizes with the nutty/earthy flavor of this grain. Serve the teff as a side dish or top with roasted vegetables or a vegetable or bean stew. You can also allow the teff to stiffen, then cut into squares and fry in the squares oil or grill them. You will get best results if you soak the teff for a few hours or overnight.
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Ingredients
Yield:Serves 6
- 1cup teff
- 4cups water or stock (chicken, vegetable or garlic)
- 1teaspoon salt (more or less to taste)
- 1chipotle chile, seeded and finely chopped, or ½ to ¾ teaspoon chipotle chilipowder (optional)
- 2tablespoons toasted hazelnut oil
Ingredient Substitution Guide
Nutritional analysis per serving (6 servings)
161 calories; 5 grams fat; 0 grams saturated fat; 4 grams monounsaturated fat; 1 gram polyunsaturated fat; 24 grams carbohydrates; 3 grams dietary fiber; 1 gram sugars; 4 grams protein; 481 milligrams sodium
Note: The information shown is Edamam’s estimate based on available ingredients and preparation. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.
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Preparation
Step
1
Heat a heavy, medium size wide-bottomed saucepan over medium-high heat and add teff. Shake pan and allow teff to toast until it begins to pop and smell toasty, 3 to 5 minutes.
Step
2
Immediately pour in water and remove from heat. Soak at room temperature for 3 to 4 hours, or refrigerate overnight.
Step
3
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Place a 2-quart baking dish on your stovetop. Return saucepan with teff to stove and bring to a boil, stirring often with a whisk so that the seeds don’t clump. When mixture comes to a boil add salt and chipotle, stir once and pour into baking dish. Use a rubber spatula to scrape out any teff that adheres to the saucepan.
Step
4
Place baking dish in oven (set on a cookie sheet if you wish, for easier handling). Bake 50 minutes, stirring with a whisk every 15 to 20 minutes. After 50 minutes whisk in 1 tablespoon of the hazelnut oil and return to oven for another 10 minutes, unless mixture is already stiff. Once teff is smooth, with no more liquid visible in the pan, serve at once, drizzling a small amount of the remaining oil over each serving.
Tip
- Advance preparation: Teff will stiffen up very quickly so if serving like soft polenta, serve right away. Or allow to stiffen and keep for 3 to 4 days in the refrigerator. Slice and sear in oil or grill.
Ratings
4
out of 5
25
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Cooking Notes
P
This is so awesome - best eaten warm right out of the oven though, pouring the then still creamy mixture over a piece of dark or milk chocolate. Stir and enjoy with the molten chocolate...
Elle
What an astonishing dish. Warm, toasty, dark, nutty, and a wonderful toothsome texture. I used chicken broth. Served with a chunk of soft cheese, spicy chili oil and a spoonful of tangy yogurt. First try with teff. If I see it again at the store, I'll keep cooking this for sure. Other ideas for things to do with teff?
P
This is so awesome - best eaten warm right out of the oven though, pouring the then still creamy mixture over a piece of dark or milk chocolate. Stir and enjoy with the molten chocolate...
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