Creamy Polenta With Tomato Herb Salad Food

HERB AND TOMATO POLENTA

Steps:

• Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the olive oil and tomatoes. Cook the tomatoes, stirring occasionally, until they start to blister and release some of their juices, 8 to 10 minutes. Toss in the garlic and season generously with salt and pepper. Cook another 1 minute, then remove from the heat.
• In a saucepan over low heat, stir the Parmesan and butter into the Cooked Polenta, thinning with milk as desired. Turn off the heat, stir in the lemon zest, taste for seasoning and add salt if necessary.
• Transfer the polenta to a serving bowl. Use a spoon to create a shallow well and top with the tomatoes, torn basil, some black pepper and a drizzle of olive oil.
• Bring 6 cups of water to a rolling boil in a heavy-bottomed 4-quart saucepan over medium-high heat. Reduce the heat to the lowest possible setting, add the baking soda and 1 1/2 teaspoons salt and pour the cornmeal into the water in a very slow stream from a measuring cup, all the while whisking in a circular motion to prevent lumps.
• Cook, vigorously stirring the polenta with a wooden spoon for about 10 seconds once every 5 minutes and making sure to scrape clean the bottom and corners of the pot, until the polenta has lost its raw cornmeal taste and becomes soft and smooth, about 30 minutes. If the polenta looks like it's drying out too quickly, continue cooking with the lid on. Cooked Polenta recipe courtesy of Jeff Mauro.

CREAMY POLENTA

Steps:

• In a medium pot with high sides combine the water, milk, and heavy cream and bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce the heat to low and slowly pour in the polenta while whisking constantly. Cook the mixture for at least 5 minutes, stirring with a wooden spoon until thickened and cooked. Stir in the lemon zest and kosher salt.

POLENTA WITH ROASTED TOMATOES

Steps:

• Position a rack in the upper third of the oven and preheat to 450. Toss the tomatoes, olive oil and 1/4 teaspoon salt in a large ovenproof skillet. Roast in the oven until the tomatoes are charred around the edges, about 25 minutes. Reduce the oven temperature to 300 but keep the tomatoes inside.
• Meanwhile, bring 5 cups water to a boil in a saucepan over medium heat. Slowly whisk in the polenta until smooth and creamy. Add 1 teaspoon salt, and pepper to taste. Remove from the heat, cover and keep warm.
• Bring a pot of salted water to a boil. Slice the chard leaves into wide strips and the stems into 1-inch pieces. Boil the stems until almost tender, about 5 minutes, then add the leaves and cook until both are tender, about 3 more minutes. Drain the chard.
• Remove the skillet from the oven and place over medium-high heat. Push the tomatoes to one side, add the butter and swirl until the butter is golden brown. Add the chard and toss to coat. Divide the polenta among 4 bowls. Top with the tomatoes and chard. Season the cheese with salt and sprinkle over the top.

CREAMY POLENTA

Steps:

• In a large saucepan, bring the water, milk and butter to a boil. Add 2 teaspoons of salt to the water and whisk in the polenta. Whisk constantly for 3 to 4 minutes to prevent lumps. Simmer for 45 minutes, partially covered and stirring every 10 minutes, until the polenta is thick, smooth, and creamy. Add the creme fraiche and Parmesan. Check for seasoning and adjust consistency by adding milk or water to the polenta. Polenta may be made up to 20 minutes ahead of time and kept covered until ready to serve.

CREAMY PARMESAN POLENTA

Steps:

• Place the chicken stock in a large saucepan. Add the garlic and cook over medium-high heat until the stock comes to a boil. Reduce the heat to medium-low and very slowly whisk in the cornmeal, whisking constantly to make sure there are no lumps. Switch to a wooden spoon, add the salt and pepper, and simmer, stirring almost constantly, for 10 minutes, until thick. Be sure to scrape the bottom of the pan thoroughly while you're stirring. Off the heat, stir in the Parmesan, creme fraiche, and butter. Taste for seasonings and serve hot with extra Parmesan cheese to sprinkle on top.

HERBED POLENTA

Steps:

• Bring the water to a boil in a heavy large saucepan. Add 2 teaspoons of salt. Gradually whisk in the cornmeal. Reduce the heat to low and cook until the mixture thickens and the cornmeal is tender, stirring often, about 15 minutes. Remove from the heat. Add the cheese, milk, butter, parsley, rosemary, thyme, and pepper, and stir until the butter and cheese melt. Transfer the polenta to a bowl and serve.

GRILLED HERB POLENTA WITH ASPARAGUS, TOMATOES AND PARMESAN

Steps:

• Bring 2 of the cups of water to the boil and slowly add the polenta and herbs , whisking all the time. This ensures the polenta won't form lumps.
• Reduce the heat to a simmer, stirring frequently with a wooden spoon.
• When the polenta becomes too thick, add the remaining water a little at a time.
• Line a tray with cling film and spread the polenta about 1 inch thick using the back of a spoon. Cool overnight. Once cooled, cut into shapes brush with oil and season with salt and pepper and grill on hot grill.
• Heat the balsamic vinegar, garlic and sugar in a saucepan. Once the sugar has dissolved, add the asparagus and cook for 3 minute.
• To serve: arrange the polenta shapes on serving dishes, top with the asparagus and tomatoes, shave over the parmesan and drizzle with a little olive oil. Garnish with fresh parsley. Serve with lots of fresh crusty bread.

SLOW COOKER RICOTTA-SPINACH POLENTA WITH TOMATO SALAD

Steps:

• Combine the polenta with 6 1/2 cups water in a 5- to 7-quart slow cooker. Add the butter and 2 teaspoons salt. Cover and cook on LOW until the polenta is thick and tender, about 6 hours.
• With the slow cooker on LOW, stir the polenta well and then stir the spinach into the polenta in 2 batches, covering the cooker and letting the first batch wilt before adding the second, about 5 minutes per batch.
• Meanwhile, in a medium bowl, toss together the tomatoes, oil, and vinegar. Season the tomato salad with salt and pepper.
• Optional: Pour a thin layer of oil into a large skillet over medium-high heat and crack 4 eggs into the pan. Season the eggs with salt and pepper and cook until the whites are golden brown, lacy on the edges, and just set in the middle, and the yolks are still a little jiggly, about 3 minutes.
• Fold the Parmesan and ricotta into the polenta. Taste and season the polenta with salt if necessary. Stir in warm water by the tablespoon if the polenta is looking too thick for your taste-keep in mind it will continue to thicken as it cools. Top bowls of the polenta with the tomato salad and, if you like, the fried eggs.

GRILLED POLENTA WITH TOMATO-CORN SALAD

Steps:

• Prepare a grill or grill pan for medium-high heat. Clean and oil the grill grates.
• Wrap each ear of corn in damp paper towels and microwave the wrapped corn on high for 5 minutes. Carefully remove the paper towels and let the corn cool slightly.
• Brush the corn with oil and season with salt and pepper. Grill over medium-high heat, turning occasionally, until lightly charred in spots, 8 to 10 minutes. Let cool slightly.
• Meanwhile, cut the polenta crosswise into 10 or 12 rounds. Brush the rounds on both sides with oil and season with salt and pepper. Grill over medium-high heat, turning once or twice, until nicely marked and slightly softened, about 6 minutes total.
• Whisk the 1/4 cup oil with the vinegar and garlic in a small bowl and season with salt and pepper. Set aside.
• Invert a small bowl and place it in a large bowl. Hold one ear of corn vertically on the smaller bowl and, using a knife, cut the kernels off the cob. Repeat with the remaining ears of corn. Remove the small bowl.
• Add the tomatoes and dressing to the corn; toss well. Fold in the basil and arugula, then season the salad with salt and pepper. Serve the salad with the grilled polenta, topped with jalapeño slices if desired.