>
> My mom had the polenta too. We both thought it tasted weird. They scooped
>
> it onto the plate and it retained the scooped shape. Texture was very
>
> gummy.


That'a how polenta is. Commonly served in cubes. I dont like polenta, exactly, because it is gummy and sticky.

>
> Any clues as to what they might have done to it? And who puts sour cream in
>
> stew?

I don't. I use whipping cream inside the stew. But I've often had stews with sourcream on the side.