Herb Polenta Food

HERBED POLENTA

Steps:

• Bring four-and-a-half cups of stock to a simmer in a heavy saucepan. Add the cornmeal very slowly, stirring constantly. The easiest way to add the cornmeal is to take handfuls of it and allow a very fine stream to pour from your slightly open fist. When all the cornmeal has been added continue cooking the mixture, stirring from time to time, for another 15 minutes.
• Season to taste with salt and pepper and stir in the butter and herbs. Serve at once. The polenta can be held for up to about 20 minutes if you add the additional half-cup of stock and cover it. Reheat it gently, stirring constantly, then serve.
• Serve with a generous dusting of the Parmesan cheese.

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 FRESH HERBS AND WHITE CHEDDAR CHEESE

Steps:

• Combine broth, all herbs, garlic and salt in heavy large saucepan and bring to boil over medium-high heat. Gradually sprinkle in polenta, whisking constantly. Reduce heat to medium-low; simmer until polenta is thick and creamy and begins to pull away from sides of pan, whisking often, about 25 minutes. Add cheese; stir until cheese melts. Season with salt and pepper and serve.
• *If unavailable, use 1 2/3 cups regular cornmeal and cook for about 12 minutes.

HERBED POLENTA "FRIES"

Steps:

• Brush an 8-inch square baking dish with oil.
• Combine water, polenta, herbs, and 3/4 teaspoon salt in a heavy medium saucepan and bring to a boil over medium heat, whisking. Reduce heat to medium-low and cook, stirring constantly with a long-handled wooden spoon, until polenta begins to pull away from side of pan, 15 to 20 minutes. Stir in cheese and butter until incorporated, then transfer polenta to baking dish, spreading evenly with a dampened rubber spatula. Chill, uncovered, until set, about 45 minutes.
• Preheat broiler. Line a baking sheet with foil and brush with oil.
• Unmold polenta, then cut into 16 (about 4- by 1-inch) sticks. Brush tops with oil and space evenly on baking sheet. Broil about 4 inches from heat until golden, 15 to 20 minutes.

CREAMY HERBED POLENTA

Steps:

• Bring broth, water and garlic powder to boil in medium saucepan on medium heat. Reduce heat to medium-low.
• Add polenta in a thin steady stream while whisking constantly. Cook 4 to 5 min. or until thickened, stirring constantly.
• Remove from heat. Add cream cheese and Parmesan; stir until cream cheese is completely melted and mixture is well blended. Stir in herbs.

HERBY POLENTA WITH CORN, EGGS AND FETA

Steps:

• Heat the oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit/200 degrees Celsius.
• Add the corn to a food processor and pulse once or twice, just until roughly chopped. Transfer corn to a large bowl and add the spinach, cornmeal, Parmesan, scallions, 1/4 cup cilantro, parsley, dill, garlic, 1 1/2 teaspoons salt and a good grind of pepper; stir to combine. Transfer this mixture to a large, deep, oven-proof skillet, then add the milk, stock and butter, stirring gently to mix through. Transfer to the oven and bake for 20 minutes, then remove from the oven and give everything a good whisk.
• Return to the oven and bake until the cornmeal is cooked through and the mixture has thickened, about 20 minutes. Give the polenta another good whisk - it should be quite smooth and not completely set - then stir in half the feta. Increase the oven temperature to 425 degrees Fahrenheit/220 degrees Celsius.
• Use a dinner spoon to make 8 shallow wells in the polenta. Crack an egg into each well and sprinkle lightly with salt and pepper. Sprinkle the remaining feta all over, and bake until the egg whites are cooked and the yolks are still runny, 10 to 15 minutes.
• Meanwhile, combine the reserved scallions and cilantro in a bowl with the oil. Spoon this mixture all over the polenta and eggs and sprinkle with the red-pepper flakes. Serve directly from the pan.

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.

CAPONATA AND HERB POLENTA

Steps:

• Place the cutting board near the stovetop. Preheat a big, deep pot over medium heat. Add oil, garlic, and crushed pepper. As you chop vegetables (peppers, onion, and celery), add them to the pot. Once vegetables are in there, increase heat a bit.
• Stir in olives, capers, and raisins. Salt the diced eggplant and stir into the pot. Add tomatoes, diced and crushed, to the pot and stir caponata well to combine. Cover pot and cook caponata 15 to 20 minutes, until vegetables are tender. Stir in parsley and remove pan from heat.
• Polenta: Bring 3 cups chicken broth to a boil. Add polenta and stir constantly until the cornmeal masses together. Stir in herbs, butter, cheese, salt, and pepper.
• Spread polenta out over a serving platter. Make a shallow well from the center out and fill with half of the prepared caponata. This stands as a complete dinner on its own, so rich with vitamins and fresh vegetables. Refrigerate the remaining caponata for a later use.
• If you prepare a salad, keep it simple. Dress mixed greens with oil, vinegar, salt, and pepper. Caponata can also be used as a bruschetta topping.

HERBED POLENTA

Steps:

• Bring small pot of water to boil.
• Add herbs and blanch 5 seconds.
• Drain.
• Refresh under cold water and drain.
• Place herbs and oil in blender and puree. Cover; chill.
• (Can be made 1 day ahead.) Bring water to boil in heavy medium saucepan over medium heat. Gradually whisk in cornmeal.
• Cook until thickened, stirring often, about 5 minutes.
• Add cream.
• Stir in 1/4 cup herb puree. Season polenta with salt and cayenne. Serves: 4 Source: Bon Appetit Serve With: meats, roasts

BAKED HERBED POLENTA

Steps:

• Bring water and salt to boil in large saucepan. While whisking water in circular motion, pour in cornmeal in a slow steady stream, keeping the water boiling as you do so. Reduce heat to low and continue to cook, stirring constantly, until mixture is thick, from 5 to 15 minutes depending on kind of cornmeal used. Add cream, Parmesan and herbs. Pour into greased pan. Cool and refrigerate, covered. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Cut polenta into slices and brush with oil. Place on cookie sheet and bake for 10 to 15 minutes or until heated through.

HERBED POLENTA

Steps:

• In a medium pot, bring broth to a boil. Whisking constantly, slowly add polenta. Continue whisking until thickened, 1 to 2 minutes. Reduce heat to low, season with salt and pepper, and simmer gently, whisking occasionally, until thick and creamy, about 25 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in herbs. Serve immediately.

HERB POLENTA BAKED IN PROSCIUTTO

Steps:

• Cook polenta according to the directions on the packet.
• When it's almost cooked stir in the parsley, parmesan, butter and garlic.
• Pour polenta into a greased 18x28cm cake tin.
• Smooth the surface and cool for an hour until firm.
• Turn the polenta out and cut into 20 bite sized cubes.
• Wrap each cube in a slice of prosciutto.
• Thread 2 pieces onto each skewer and place them on a baking paper lined tray.
• Bake in a 190°C oven for 10-20 minutes.
• The prosciutto will become crisp and golden.
• Serve hot.
• These can be made a couple of hours ahead and refrigerated until you're ready to bake.
• Make sure you soak the sticks well to prevent burning.
• Another way to serve this is to place the wrapped cubes singly on the baking tray, bake, and stab each one with a toothpick to serve.

HERBED CHEESE POLENTA

Steps:

• Bring water to a boil in a large, heavy pot.
• Add the salt.
• Gradually whisk in the cornmeal.
• reduce the heat to low and cook, stirring often, until the mixture thickens and the cornmeal is tender, about 15 minutes.
• Remove from heat.
• Add the cheese, milk butter, herbs and pepper.
• 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. Pour 6 cups water into sprayed 13x9 glass baking dish. Whisk polenta, salt and pepper into water. Bake uncovered about 30 minutes. Could be a little more or less. Make sure it doesn't get hard.
• Meanwhile, melt butter in small skillet over medium heat. Add green onions and garlic, saute 2 minutes. Stir in parsley, thyme and cream. Season with salt and pepper. Remove from heat.
• Stir polenta to blend. Stir green onion mixture, cheese and lemon peel into polenta. If liquid isn't completely absorbed, bake a little longer.

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.

HERB POLENTA WITH RED BELL PEPPER SAUCE

Steps:

• Line an 8-by-8-inch pan with plastic wrap, and set aside. In a medium saucepan, combine olive oil, milk and 1 clove chopped garlic. Place over high heat to bring to a boil, then remove from heat. Whisk in Cream of Wheat until well blended. Return to high heat, and whisk until thickened but still pourable. Remove from heat, and whisk in eggs. Return to heat, and stir in 1/4 cup cheese, the spinach, basil, parsley, and salt and pepper to taste. Stir the mixture until thickened and no longer pourable.
• Immediately spoon mixture into plastic-lined pan, smoothing with a piece of plastic wrap to make a flat, even surface. Cover and refrigerate until chilled and solid, 2 to 24 hours.
• While polenta is chilling, prepare red bell pepper sauce. Preheat a broiler. Place red bell pepper under broiler, turning occasionally until blackened on all sides. Allow to cool. Peel and seed pepper, cut into pieces and place in a blender. Add anchovy, garlic and olive oil, and process until smooth. Add just enough chicken stock to make a thick but fluid sauce. Transfer mixture to a small saucepan over medium-low heat. Season with sugar and salt and pepper to taste. Bring to a simmer, remove from heat and keep warm.
• Preheat a broiler. Remove polenta from plastic, and cut into 12 rectangles. Place on an oiled baking sheet and allow to return to room temperature. Sprinkle with remaining 2 tablespoons cheese. Broil until polenta is heated and cheese is lightly browned. Place 2 pieces of polenta on each of 6 plates, and top with a portion of sauce. Garnish with oregano sprigs, and serve immediately.