• Make-Ahead

Ingredients

1. 3 cups water
2. 1 cup fine cornmeal, preferably white (5 ounces)
3. 3 ounces Comté or Gruyère cheese, shredded (1 cup)
4. 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
5. Salt and freshly ground pepper
6. 3 tablespoons canola oil

Directions

1. Grease a 9-inch square baking dish. Bring the water to a boil in a medium saucepan. Slowly add the cornmeal, whisking constantly, and bring to a boil over moderately high heat. Reduce the heat to low and cook, stirring often with a wooden spoon, until the polenta is very thick, about 15 minutes. Stir in the cheese and butter and season with salt and pepper. Scrape the polenta into the prepared dish and smooth the top, using a rubber spatula. Press a piece of plastic wrap directly on the polenta and chill until firm, at least 2 hours. 
2. Cut the polenta into 8 rectangles. Heat the oil in a large nonstick skillet. Add the polenta pieces and fry over moderate heat until golden, about 5 minutes per side. Drain the polenta on paper towels and serve at once.

Make Ahead

The cooked polenta can be refrigerated for up to 2 days before it is fried.