Corny Polenta Food

DEVILLED PRAWNS & CORNY POLENTA

Steps:

• To make the polenta, bring 550ml water to the boil with the milk and bay in a pan. Steadily pour in the polenta and whisk vigorously until incorporated, making sure there are no lumps. Cook for 30 mins, stirring often, adding a little more water if needed, then stir in the Tabasco and cheddar until melted. Remove the pan from the heat, take out the bay leaf and cover with a tea towel to keep warm.
• Meanwhile, take the prawns out of the fridge to bring to room temperature and season with some salt.
• Make the butter by blitzing all the ingredients with 2 tbsp water in a food processor until combined.
• Heat a frying pan. Brush the corn with some rapeseed oil and salt and fry, turning until the corn is puffed and deep yellow and starting to char. Remove from the pan, allow to cool for a min, then slice the corn from the cob and stir into the polenta.
• Heat some oil in the frying pan and add the prawns. Cook over a high heat for 2 mins or until pink, then add the wine, bring to the bubble and turn the prawns over. Add 2 tbsp of the devilled butter to the pan and toss the prawns in it as it melts. Stir another tbsp of the butter through the polenta, then divide between two bowls, top with the prawns, pan juices and spring onion.

CREAMY CORN POLENTA

Steps:

• In a large pot add milk and cream along with thyme and garlic. Bring to a simmer then shut off the heat to let the milk and cream steep. Let it steep for at least 30 minutes. Once steeped, strain the milk mixture and discard the thyme and garlic. Bring the milk and cream mixture back up to a simmer and gradually pour in the cornmeal in a slow, steady stream, whisking constantly. Once the milk is completely absorbed, lower the heat and set a timer for 20 minutes. Continue cooking, whisking often, until the timer goes off, add chicken stock if the mixture is too thick (it should be like creamy mashed potatoes). Once the timer goes off the polenta should be thick and smooth. Finish with butter, grated Parmigiano and salt and pepper.

ITALIAN PORK CHILI WITH POLENTA

Steps:

• Roast the bell pepper over a gas flame, turning with tongs, or broil until the skin is blackened. Transfer to a bowl, cover and let cool. Peel, seed and chop the pepper. Heat the EVOO in a Dutch oven or other heavy pot over medium-high heat. Add the sausage and pancetta and cook until well browned. Add the ground pork, thyme, fennel seeds, garlic, chile peppers, onions, oregano and roasted red peppers and cook until soft, about 5 minutes. Stir in the tomato paste and cook for 1 minute. Deglaze with the wine, stirring and scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pot with a wooden spoon. Add 2 to 3 cups chicken stock and simmer for a few minutes to allow the flavors to combine. Bring 2 cups chicken stock and the milk to a low boil in a saucepan. Whisk in the polenta and cook, whisking, until thick but pourable, 2 to 3 minutes. Remove from the heat. Add the butter and then the cheese, stirring until melted. Season with salt and pepper. Ladle the polenta into shallow bowls and hollow out the center. Fill with the chili and top with more cheese. Garnish with parsley. Cook's Note: The chili can be covered and refrigerated for a make-ahead meal. Reheat over medium heat, and prepare the polenta before serving.

CREAMY CORN POLENTA

Steps:

• Bring the broth, 2 1/2 cups water, butter and 1 teaspoon salt to a boil in a heavy, large saucepan over high heat. Gradually whisk in the polenta. Continue to whisk until the polenta begins to thicken, 2 to 3 minutes. Reduce the heat to low. Cover and cook until the polenta is very thick and tender, stirring often with a flat-bottom spoon or heatproof rubber spatula to prevent sticking or burning, about 20 minutes. Blend the corn in a mini processor until a coarse puree forms. Stir the corn puree into the polenta. Season with more salt if desired.

POLENTA WITH CORN

Steps:

• In a medium-size saucepan, bring the milk, 2 cups water and bay leaf to a boil. Season generously with salt, almost to the point of over seasoning. How do you know that you are there? TASTE IT! When it has reached a boil, slowly whisk in the polenta in small sprinkles. Once all of the polenta has been incorporated, reduce the heat to medium and immediately switch over to stirring with a wooden spoon. Cook the polenta until it begins to pull away from the pan, adding water to loosen it up if it becomes too thick. Add the corn and stir to combine. When the polenta is thoroughly cooked, it should look creamy and not feel gritty on your tongue. Remove it from the heat and stir in the Parmesan and mascarpone.

POLENTA WITH FRESH CORN

Steps:

• Bring the water to a boil in a pot. Slowly whisk in the polenta and a pinch of salt. Turn the heat down as low as it will go and put a lid on the pot, slightly ajar, and cook the polenta for about 40 minutes, stirring every 5-10 minutes.
• Add the corn, milk and cream and cook another 5 minutes.
• Season with salt and pepper, to taste, and sprinkle the chives on top.

CREAMY CORN-STUDDED POLENTA

Steps:

• Bring broth, cream, and salt to boil in medium saucepan. Gradually whisk in polenta; reduce heat to medium-low and simmer 10 minutes, stirring often. Add corn; increase heat and bring to boil. Reduce heat to medium-low; cook until polenta is soft, thick, and creamy, stirring often, about 15 minutes. Stir in butter and season to taste with salt and pepper. Serve hot.