Italian Polenta Bowl 30 Minutes Food

ITALIAN POLENTA BOWL (30 MINUTES)

Steps:

• If I can, I like to make my pickled red onions a day in advance. If not, make these first, (they take about 30 minutes to get nice and pickled). Here is the recipe for the pickled red onions.
• Follow the package instructions to cook your meatballs or sausage. I recommend cooking them in a skillet for better flavor.
• Heat a medium large sauce pan over low heat. Add the olive oil. Add the Italian seasoning and red pepper flakes (if using), let the spices get nice and fragrant, about 2 minutes. Add the garlic, saute 30 seconds. Add the chicken broth. Turn the heat up to high. Slowly whisk in the polenta. Allow the polenta to come to simmer stirring consistently, about 3 to 5 mins. Once the polenta has thickened add the sun dried tomatoes, Parmesan cheese, ricotta, cheese, and salt and pepper. Stir until combined and taste to adjust the seasonings. Remove from the heat. If the polenta thickens more on you before serving simply add more water or chicken broth to thin out a little. The polenta should be thick, but a little pour able when you sere it.
• To your serving bowls spoon in a good amount of the polenta. Top it with the cooked meatballs or sausage. Top it with any amount or combinations of the artichoke hearts, Parmesan cheese, roasted red peppers, olives, and quick pickled onions. If serving to a crowd it's nice to let guests create their own bowls how they want. Serve immediately.

ITALIAN POLENTA CASSEROLE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease a 1 1/2-quart casserole dish.
• Combine cherry tomatoes, basil, garlic, red wine, and 1/8 teaspoon salt for marinara in the bowl of a food processor. Pulse a few times to puree. Set aside.
• Bring water and 1/2 teaspoon salt to a boil in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Whisk in polenta slowly, whisking constantly to ensure there are no lumps. Bring back to a boil; reduce heat to low and cook, stirring occasionally, for 5 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in Pecorino Romano cheese and butter.
• Pour half of the polenta into the prepared casserole dish. Top with half of the sliced zucchini, overlapping slices slightly. Top zucchini with half of the marinara sauce, then sprinkle with half of the Italian-style cheese. Repeat layers one more time. Cover.
• Bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes. Uncover and continue to bake until cheese on top is slightly brown, about 10 minutes more. Remove from the oven and let stand for 5 minutes before serving.

HOW TO MAKE PERFECT POLENTA

Steps:

• Bring water and salt to a boil in a large saucepan; pour polenta slowly into boiling water, whisking constantly until all polenta is stirred in and there are no lumps.
• Reduce heat to low and simmer, whisking often, until polenta starts to thicken, about 5 minutes. Polenta mixture should still be slightly loose. Cover and cook for 30 minutes, whisking every 5 to 6 minutes. When polenta is too thick to whisk, stir with a wooden spoon. Polenta is done when texture is creamy and the individual grains are tender.
• Turn off heat and gently stir 2 tablespoons butter into polenta until butter partially melts; mix 1/2 cup Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese into polenta until cheese has melted. Cover and let stand 5 minutes to thicken; stir and taste for salt before transferring to a serving bowl. Top polenta with remaining 1 tablespoon butter and about 1 tablespoon freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese for garnish.