Baked Polenta With Cheese And Jalapenos Bon Appetit Food

BAKED POLENTA WITH CHEESE AND JALAPENOS (BON APPETIT)

Steps:

• Steel Knife: With machine running, drop chili through feed tube and mince. Remove from work bowl.
• Shredder: Arrange cheese in feed tube and shred using light pressure.
• Generously grease 8-inch square pan. Bring water, 2 tablespoons oil and the salt to boil in large heavy saucepan. Reduce heat to low. Add cornmeal in thin, steady stream, whisking constantly. Cook until mixture is very thick and film forms on bottom of pan, stirring frequently, about 9 minutes. (Or to microwave: Combine water, 2 tablespoons oil, salt, and cornmeal in 3-quart microwave casserole. Cover and cook on High 4 minutes. Uncover; whisk until smooth. Cover and cook until very thick, about 6 minutes.) Add chili, half of cheese and pepper and stir until smooth. Transfer mixture to prepared pan. Smooth top with spatula. Cool completely. (Can be prepared 3 days ahead. Cover and chill.).
• Position rack in center of oven and preheat to 425 degrees. Grease large baking sheet. Cut polenta into eight rounds using 2 1/2-inch biscuit cutter. Transfer to prepared sheet. Brush tops of rounds with remaining 1 tablespoon oil. Sprinkle with remaining cheese. Bake until cheese is golden, 10 to 12 minutes. (Or to microwave: Arrange 4 polenta rounds in circle on microwave plate. Brush with oil and sprinkle with cheese. Cook uncovered on Medium 7 minutes. Repeat with remaining polenta, oil, and cheese. Serve hot.

BAKED POLENTA

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
• Grease an 11 by 17-inch baking sheet pan with oil. Line pan with waxed paper. The oil will secure the waxed paper onto the pan.
• In a large pot bring to a boil 2 quarts of salted water. Stir in extra-virgin olive oil. When water has reached a boil, reduce heat to medium high and slowly add the polenta, whisking constantly for 3 minutes. When polenta is thick and smooth, pour it into the prepared pan. Spread the polenta evenly.
• Bake in oven for 15 to 20 minutes. Remove from oven and allow to cool in pan. Note: the polenta will not brown or change in color. When cool enough to handle, cut into any shape you desire. I like to cut out 2-inch circles.

SPICY POLENTA CAKES

Steps:

• Combine the milk, salt and 2 cups water in a medium saucepan and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Lower the heat and slowly whisk in the polenta. Cook, whisking constantly, until the polenta tightens and there are no lumps, about 4 minutes. Stir in the queso blanco, butter, cilantro, pepper and jalapeno. Simmer for 10 minutes, stirring frequently. Taste and adjust the seasoning as needed.
• Generously butter a 9-by-9-inch baking pan. Pour the polenta into the pan and set aside to cool to room temperature. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 2 hours, until firm.
• Preheat a griddle pan over medium heat. Invert the polenta onto a clean cutting board and slice it into nine 3-inch squares. Brush the squares on both sides with the olive oil, then griddle them until golden brown and warmed through, about 3 minutes per side. While warm, drizzle the polenta cakes with the honey and squeeze lime juice over the top. Serve.

JALAPEñO CHEESEBURGERS WITH BACON AND GRILLED ONIONS

Steps:

• For spicy ranch sauce:
• Whisk all ingredients in medium bowl to blend. Season sauce with salt and pepper.
• For burgers:
• Gently mix all ingredients in large bowl. Form mixture into eight 1/2- to 3/4-inch-thick patties. Place on small baking sheet. Cover and chill at least 2 hours and up to 1 day.
• For glaze:
• Stir first 5 ingredients in small saucepan over medium heat until coffee is dissolved. Remove from heat. Whisk in butter. Season glaze to taste with salt and pepper.
• Prepare barbecue (medium-high heat). Working in batches if necessary, cook bacon in large skillet over medium-high heat until crisp and brown. Transfer bacon to paper towels to drain.
• Spray grill rack with nonstick spray. Toast buns until golden, about 2 minutes per side. Transfer buns, cut side up, to plates. Place lettuce on each bun bottom. Grill burgers 5 minutes, basting with glaze. Turn burgers, baste with glaze, and grill until cooked to desired doneness, about 5 minutes longer for medium. Press cheese atop each burger and allow cheese to melt. Place some sauce, then 1 burger on each bun bottom. Top each with 2 slices bacon and desired additional toppings. Cover with bun top. Serve with remaining sauce.

BAKED POLENTA WITH FONTINA CHEESE

Steps:

• Butter 9x13-inch baking dish. Combine 2 1/4 cups water, broth, shallots and marjoram in heavy large Dutch oven; bring to boil. Mix 2 1/2 cups cold water and cornmeal in bowl. Gradually mix cornmeal mixture into broth mixture. Return to boil, stirring constantly. Reduce heat to medium and boil gently until polenta is very thick, stirring often, about 10 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.
• Immediately spread 2 cups polenta in prepared dish. Top with 1 3/4 cups cheese. Drizzle with 1/4 cup cream. Repeat layering, using 2 cups polenta, 1 3/4 cups cheese and 1/4 cup cream. Top with remaining polenta. Spread remaining cheese over. Cover with foil. (Can be made 1 day ahead. Cover and chill. Bring to room temperature before continuing.)
• Preheat oven to 350°F. Bake covered polenta until hot in center, about 1 hour 15 minutes. Uncover; continue baking until polenta bubbles at edges and top begins to brown, about 10 minutes.

WHITE CHEDDAR AND JALAPENO POLENTA

Steps:

• Bring stock to boil in large pot over high heat.
• Whisk in polenta in a steady stream and decrease heat to medium.
• Cook, stirring with a wooden spoon, constantly until mixture begins to thicken, approximately 10 minutes or till thickened.
• Add cheese and peppers. Cook 2 minutes.
• Stir in butter and salt and pepper to taste.
• Remove from heat and adjust consistency by thinning with more stock if needed.

EASY CHEESE JALAPENO BAKED POLENTA (GRITS)

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
• Whisk cornmeal into water, cook until cornmeal comes together and is creamy 5-10 minutes.
• Meanwhile prepare peppers, and grate cheese.
• Add corn, pepper, cheese, butter, and salt. Butter a small-medium baking dish.
• Pour polenta into baking dish and bake 30-45 minutes. Turn on broiler and broil until bubbly, 2 to 3 minutes.