Beans And Greens Polenta Bake Food

BEANS AND GREENS POLENTA BAKE

Steps:

• Pour warm polenta into a large ovenproof skillet or a ceramic baking dish or metal baking pan and spread into an even layer (ideally about 1" thick). Let cool, then cover and chill at least 1 hour and up to 1 week.
• Preheat oven to 500°F. Heat garlic and ¼ cup oil in a large skillet over medium, stirring occasionally, until garlic is fragrant and starting to brown, about 3 minutes. Add beans and red pepper flakes (if using), then, working in batches, add kale, letting it wilt slightly after each addition before adding more, and cook, stirring occasionally, until tender and evenly darkened in color, about 3 minutes. Stir in vinegar and salt and cook, still stirring occasionally, until liquid evaporates, about 2 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in ¼ cup Parmesan.
• Scrape kale mixture over prepared polenta and spread into an even layer. Drizzle with more oil and sprinkle with more Parmesan.
• Transfer skillet to oven and bake until polenta is warmed through and topping is lightly crisped and browned, 8-10 minutes.

POLENTA OR GRITS WITH BEANS AND CHARD

Steps:

• Chop 1/2 of the onion and set aside. To cook dried beans, transfer with their soaking water to a heavy pot. If beans are not covered by 1 1/2 to 2 inches of water, add more water as necessary. Over medium-high heat, bring to a gentle boil and skim away foam. Add unchopped halved onion, crushed garlic cloves and bouquet garni, cover, reduce heat to low and simmer 1 hour. Using tongs, removed halved onion and whole garlic cloves.
• Meanwhile, heat olive oil over medium heat in a medium skillet and add chopped onion and carrot. Cook, stirring, until beginning to soften, about 3 minutes, and add chard stems, garlic and pepper flakes. Continue to cook for another couple of minutes, until onion and chard stems are soft. Stir vegetable mixture into beans. Add tomato paste and salt to taste (I use at least 1 1/2 teaspoons), cover and continue to simmer very gently for 1 hour or until beans are tender all the way through and their texture is plush and velvety. Remove and discard bouquet garni.
• Add chard greens (depending on the size of your pot you may have to add a portion at a time, cover for a minute until the first portion wilts, then add the next portion and so on until all of the greens have been added) and continue to simmer for 5 to 10 minutes, until greens are tender but still have some color and life in them. Taste bean broth; it should taste rich, delicious, a little spicy. Add salt as necessary. Keep warm.
• Meanwhile, toward the end of the cooking time for the beans, cook polenta; or wait until beans are done and start polenta or grits. When done, spoon into wide soup bowls and press down in the middle with the back of a spoon. Spoon beans and greens with broth over polenta or grits. Top with a little Parmesan or feta and serve.

POLENTA WITH GREEN BEANS

Steps:

• Over medium heat in a large pot, bring stock to a boil (use water to make this a vegetarian dish).
• Very slowly, whisk in cornmeal.
• Lower heat and simmer for 15 minutes, whisking very frequently; polenta will be thick.
• Season well with salt and pepper and, with a wooden spoon, beat in the cheese.
• Oil an 8-inch baking dish and pour polenta in; smooth top and set aside to cool.
• Preheat oven to 400F degrees.
• Cut polenta into squares and place on an oiled baking sheet.
• Bake for 15 minutes or until polenta squares are slightly browned.
• Meanwhile, bring a small pot of water to boil and add beans.
• Cook for 2 minute; drain; rinse under cold water and set aside.
• In a skillet over medium-high heat, heat olive oil; when hot, add garlic, red pepper and the beans.
• Saute until peppers have softened and garlic is golden, about 5 minutes.
• Season veggies with salt and pepper.
• Place polenta squares on a serving platter and top with veggies; serve immediately.

POLENTA AND BLACK BEAN CASSEROLE

Steps:

• Position rack in middle of oven and preheat to 450°F. Oil 11x7x2-inch glass baking dish. Mix 1/2 cup cilantro, chilies, salsa verde, garlic, and cumin in medium bowl. Arrange 9 polenta rounds in bottom of dish, spacing evenly. Drizzle 1/4 cup cream over. Top with half of beans, half of hominy, and half of chili mixture. Sprinkle with 1 1/2 cups cheese. Repeat layering. Cover with foil. Bake 20 minutes. Increase oven temperature to 475°F; uncover casserole and bake until top is golden brown, about 15 minutes longer. Let stand 5 minutes; sprinkle with remaining 1/4 cup cilantro and serve.

POLENTA WITH GREEN CHILES AND CHEESE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees; Butter an 8x8x2-inch baking dish.
• Mix milk, Water, cornmeal, garlic, and salt in a heavy saucepan, bring to simmer over medium heat, stirring constantly; cook until polenta is thickened, stirring often, 12 to 15 minutes, add salt and pepper to taste; stir in Parmesan cheese.
• Pour half of polenta into prepared dish; cover with half of the chilies and half of corn, sprinkle with half of the cilantro and 1 cup Monterey Jack cheese; drizzle with 1/4 cup of cream.
• REPEAT; Spoon remaining polenta over and cover with remaining chilies, corn, cilantro and cheese, pour the other 1/4 cup cream over top.
• Bake until polenta puffs and cheese begins to brown, about 25 minutes; cut into squares and serve.