Herb Baked Polenta With Parmesan Food

HERB-BAKED POLENTA WITH PARMESAN

Steps:

• Cover and simmer onion and 1/4 cup water for 5 minutes or until tender. Add remaining water along with herbs and salt. Bring to a boil.
• Gradually add cornmeal stirring constantly. Continue to stir cooking until thick. (about 15 to 20 minutes).
• Spray nonstick coating on a baking sheet. Spread polenta evenly about 3/4 inch thick. Let cool or refrigerate for up to 24 hours.
• Preheat oven to 375. Drizzle oil over polenta and brush to cover. Sprinkle with the cheese. If you want crisp edges, cut into squares or triangles and separate slightly.
• Bake for 12 to 15 minutes until hot and crispy. Serve hot.

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.

POLENTA WITH HERBS

Steps:

• In a medium saucepan, over medium-low heat, the heat the oil with the garlic, and cook until softened, about 3 minutes. Add the pepper flakes and cook for 30 seconds more. Add the broth and milk, and bring to a boil over high heat. While whisking constantly, slowly pour the cornmeal into the hot liquid. Stir in the salt. Lower the heat to cook the mixture at a gentle simmer. Cook, stirring frequently, until the cornmeal is creamy and not all grainy, about 30 minutes. Remove the polenta from the heat and stir the cheese, butter, and the herbs. Serve.

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.

CREAMY BAKED POLENTA WITH HERBS AND GREEN ONIONS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°F. Pour 6 cups water into 13x9x2-inch glass baking dish. Whisk polenta, salt, and pepper into water. Bake uncovered 40 minutes.
• Meanwhile, melt butter in small skillet over medium heat. Add green onions and sauté 2 minutes. Stir in parsley and thyme, then cream. Season with salt and pepper. Remove from heat.
• Stir polenta to blend. Stir green onion mixture, cheese, and lemon peel into polenta. Continue to bake uncovered until polenta is creamy and liquid is completely absorbed, about 10 minutes longer. Let stand 5 minutes; serve.

OVEN BAKED POLENTA WITH PARMESAN

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 450^F.
• Bring water to a boil and add 2 tsp salt.
• Bring water to a simmer.
• Gradually whisk in the cornmeal.
• Whisk smooth.
• Bring to a simmer, cover and place in the oven.
• Bake 1 1/2 hours, stirring every 15 minutes until thick and no longer gritty.
• Stir in the butter and the Parmesan cheese.
• Salt and pepper to taste.
• Serve with extra grated Parmesan cheese.