Fried Polenta With White Bean Salsa Food

FRIED POLENTA

Steps:

• Lightly oil an 11 by 7-inch baking dish. Transfer the hot polenta to the prepared baking dish, spreading evenly to 3/4-inch thick. Refrigerate until cold and firm, about 2 hours.
• Preheat the oven to 250 degrees F.
• Cut the polenta into 2 by 1-inch pieces. Heat the oil in a heavy large skillet over medium-high heat. Working in batches, fry the polenta pieces until golden brown on all sides, about 3 minutes per side. Using tongs, transfer the polenta pieces to paper towels and drain. Place the polenta pieces on a baking sheet and keep warm in the oven while cooking the remaining batches.
• Transfer the polenta pieces to a serving platter. Sprinkle the polenta with the Parmesan cheese and salt. Serve, passing the marinara sauce alongside.
• Bring 6 cups of 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. Turn off the heat. Add the butter, and stir until melted.

FRIED POLENTA

Steps:

• Cut one 18-ounce tube polenta into 1/2-inch-thick rounds. Heat 1/4 inch of vegetable oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Coat the polenta in flour and fry in batches until golden brown, 3 to 4 minutes per side (add more oil if necessary). Drain on a rack; sprinkle with salt and grated parmesan.

PAN-FRIED CHICKEN BREASTS WITH POLENTA AND SALSA

Steps:

• Bring 6 cups of water to a boil. Carefully whisk in the polenta to prevent lumps from forming. Reduce the heat, and continuously stir the mixture until it thickens (just a couple of minutes). Remove from the heat, and stir in the butter and cheese. Season with salt and pepper. Spoon into a greased 9-by-13-inch baking dish, and spread evenly with a spatula. Allow to cool. Refrigerate, if making ahead.
• For the guacamole, puree the avocados with the lime juice in a food processor. Stir in the onion, a quarter to a half of the minced chilies and the coriander leaves. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Refrigerate, if making ahead.
• When ready to serve, heat the olive oil in a large nonstick pan. Add the chicken, skin-side down, and brown over high heat. Turn, and brown on the other side. Reduce the heat to medium-high, and cook the chicken until it is done, a total of about 20 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.
• Meanwhile, make the salsa. Trim the tomatoes, quarter them and place in the food processor along with the coriander sprigs, scallions and the remaining minced chilies (or less to taste). Process until coarse. Season with salt and pepper.
• When ready to brown the polenta, preheat the broiler. Turn out the polenta from its dish onto an oiled baking sheet, and place under the hot broiler until the surface begins to puff and brown, 3 to 5 minutes. The polenta can broil while chicken is cooking.
• In center of a plate, place a pool of salsa. Place the polenta on top of the salsa. Arrange a few arugula leaves on the side; place a piece of chicken on the arugula, and top the chicken with guacamole.

POLENTA WITH WHITE-BEAN AND ROASTED-PEPPER RAGOUT

Steps:

• Bring broth and 2 cups water to a simmer in a saucepan over medium-high heat; season with salt. Slowly add polenta, whisking constantly. Simmer, stirring frequently and reducing heat as needed, until thick and creamy, 20 to 25 minutes for regular, or about 5 minutes for quick-cooking. Remove from heat; cover.
• Heat a large skillet over medium heat; swirl in oil. Add garlic, celery, and pepper flakes; cook, stirring occasionally, until fragrant, about 2 minutes. Stir in roasted peppers and beans; season with salt and pepper. Cook until heated through, about 1 minute. Add 1/2 cup water and bring to a simmer; cook, mashing some of beans to create a creamy sauce, until thickened slightly, about 2 minutes. Serve over polenta, drizzled with oil and sprinkled with celery leaves.

GRILLED POLENTA BITES WITH BLACK BEAN SALSA

Steps:

• Combine black beans, tomato, onion, jalapeno, cilantro, lime juice, and 1 teaspoon salt in a bowl. Stir to combine. Set aside.
• Preheat an outdoor grill for medium heat and lightly oil the grate.
• Lay polenta rounds on a clean work surface and brush the tops with olive oil. Flip the rounds over and brush the other side with olive oil. Lightly season one side.
• Grill polenta rounds for 5 minutes. Using a spatula, flip them over and grill for 5 minutes longer. Top with black bean salsa just before serving.