Double Corn Polenta Food

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.

BASIC POLENTA

Steps:

• For firm polenta use 4 cups water; for soft polenta use 5 cups water. Bring water to a boil in a medium-size heavy sauce pan over high heat. Add 1 teaspoon salt. Pour cornmeal slowly into water, stirring with a wire whisk or wooden spoon. Continue stirring as mixture thickens, 2 to 3 minutes.
• Turn heat to low. Cook for at least 45 minutes, stirring every 10 minutes or so. If polenta becomes quite thick, thin it with 1/2 cup water, stir well and continue cooking. Add up to 1 cup more water as necessary, to keep polenta soft enough to stir. Put a spoonful on a plate, let it cool, then taste. Grains should be swollen and taste cooked, not raw. Adjust salt and add pepper if you wish.
• For firm polenta, lightly butter a baking sheet or shallow dish, approximately 8 1/2 by 11 inches. Carefully pour polenta into pan. Using a spatula, spread polenta to a thickness of 3/4 inch. Cool to room temperature to allow polenta to solidify. Cover and refrigerate for up to 3 days. For soft polenta, add 6 tablespoons butter to pot and stir well. Serve immediately or transfer to a double boiler set over low heat, cover and keep warm for up to an hour or so. (Or set the saucepan in a pot of barely simmering water.) Stir well before spooning into low soup bowls. Sprinkle with Parmesan, if desired.

DOUBLE CORN POLENTA WITH PROSCIUTTO

Steps:

• Combine water, milk and corn kernals in a medium saucepan and bring to a boil.
• Gradually whisk in polenta until well incorporated.
• Reduce heat to medium low and simmer until thickened, 3-5 minutes.
• Remove from heat and stir in the butter, parmesan cheese and prosciutto.

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.

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.

CHEF JOHN'S THREE CORN POLENTA

Steps:

• Melt 1 teaspoon butter and olive oil in a saucepan over medium-low heat. Cook and stir 2/3 of the corn, with a pinch of salt and a pinch of cayenne pepper in the hot butter and oil until the corn is fragrant and golden, about 10 minutes. Add garlic; cook and stir until fragrant, about 30 seconds.
• Pour 2 cups water into corn mixture; bring to a simmer and whisk polenta into mixture. Bring to a simmer again, reduce heat to low, and simmer, stirring occasionally, until mixture is thick and polenta absorbs the water, 20 minutes. Add remaining 1/2 cup water and stir; cook for until water is completely absorbed, about 10 minutes more.
• Stir remaining corn and 1 teaspoon butter into polenta mixture. Remove from heat, cover the pot, and let sit for 5 minutes before serving.

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.

DOUBLE CORN POLENTA

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
• Spray a 7-1/2" by 11-3/4" pan or 2 quart casserole with cooking spray.
• Break the eggs into a medium bowl and beat lightly.
• Add the remaining ingredients except parmesan and mix well.
• Pour into prepared pan and place in oven.
• Bake until firm, about 40 minutes.
• sprinkle with parmesan cheese and bake for 5 more minutes or until cheese melts.
• Serve with salsa and sour cream.

POLENTA WITH FRESH CORN

Steps:

• Pour 2 cups water into a medium saucepan. Add the salt, corn kernels, and milk. Set over high heat, and bring to a boil. In a steady stream, slowly pour in the polenta, stirring constantly.
• Reduce heat to low, and simmer, stirring often, until polenta is very thick, 4 to 6 minutes. Stir in the butter and pepper. Serve warm.

CORN POLENTA

Steps:

• In a sauce pan sweat the shallot and garlic with a little bit of olive oil until cooked (translucent).
• Add the water and quickly bring to a boil.
• Gradually whisk in the polenta a little at a time until all the polenta is in the water (to prevent lumps).
• Turn the heat down to medium-low flame and cook the polenta until done (about 40 minutes or when the polenta 'pulls' away from the sides of the pan).
• Stir frequently so the polenta doesn't crust on the bottom of the pan--this makes cleanup MUCH easier.
• In another pan sweat the corn until fully cooked, no colour, then remove from heat.
• When the polenta is done fold in the corn and grated cheese.
• Season with salt and pepper to taste.
• Layout on a pan or into a mold and refrigerate until firm (20 minutes).
• To serve: Sauté, grill, toss with flour and fry for croutons, etc-- the options are endless!
• As an extra option, use 5 cups of water instead of 4 for a soft polenta. Serve warm out of the pan and elevate it by adding some marscapone cheese, whipped cream, or roasted mushrooms.

POLENTA WITH CORN AND THYME

Steps:

• In a large saucepan, melt 1 tablespoon butter over medium-high. Add corn and thyme. Cook, stirring occasionally, until corn is warmed through, about 1 minute. Add milk and water and bring to a boil. Slowly whisk in cornmeal. Cook, stirring constantly, until mixture is thick and creamy, about 6 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in remaining 1 tablespoon butter and Parmesan. Season with salt and pepper; serve immediately.