Mediterranean Polenta Cups Food

MEDITERRANEAN POLENTA CUPS

Steps:

• In a large heavy saucepan, bring water and salt to a boil. Reduce heat to a gentle boil; slowly whisk in cornmeal. Cook and stir with a wooden spoon for 15-20 minutes or until polenta is thickened and pulls away cleanly from the sides of the pan. Remove from the heat; stir in thyme and pepper. , Spoon heaping tablespoonfuls into miniature muffin cups coated with cooking spray. Using the back of a spoon, make an indentation in the center of each. Cover and chill until set. Meanwhile, in a small bowl, combine the tomatoes, feta cheese, basil and garlic. , Unmold polenta cups and place on an ungreased baking sheet. Top each with 1 heaping tablespoon of tomato mixture. Broil 4 in. from the heat for 5-7 minutes or until heated through.

MEDITERRANEAN CHEF SALAD WITH POLENTA CROUTONS

Steps:

• Heat oven to 400°F. Halve polenta lengthwise, then halve each piece lengthwise. Slice crosswise 7 times (to yield 32 triangles). Coat a small baking sheet with cooking spray; evenly arrange triangles; coat tops with cooking spray. Place tomatoes on a small rimmed baking sheet; spray with oil and toss. Place both sheets in oven for 10 minutes; remove tomatoes from oven and stir. Return to oven and cook until croutons are toasted on 1 side and tomatoes are wrinkled and brown in spots, about 20 minutes more. Remove tomatoes. Flip croutons; return to oven for 20 minutes more. Pour vinegar over tomatoes; transfer to a bowl. Mix in beans, salt, pepper and pepper flakes; set aside. Divide romaine and basil among 4 plates. Pour tomato mixture over greens; top with croutons and cheese.

MEDITERRANEAN LAMB SHANKS WITH CREAMY POLENTA

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°F. Sprinkle lamb with salt and pepper. Heat 2 tablespoons oil in large ovenproof pot over high heat. Add lamb; brown on all sides, about 10 minutes total. Using tongs, transfer lamb to plate. Add 1 tablespoon oil to pot. Add onion, carrots, celery, and garlic. Sauté until vegetables brown and begin to soften, scraping up browned bits, about 10 minutes. Return lamb to pot, pushing gently into vegetables. Add tomatoes, broth, rosemary sprigs, thyme sprigs, and peppercorns. Bring to boil over high heat. Cover pot; transfer to oven. Roast until meat is tender and pulls easily from bone, turning occasionally, about 2 hours.
• Meanwhile, bring 8 cups water and salt to boil in large saucepan over high heat. Gradually whisk in polenta. Reduce heat to medium-low; simmer until thickened and tender, stirring frequently, about 22 minutes. Whisk in butter and minced thyme. Season with salt and pepper.
• Remove lamb and herbs from pot; discard herbs. Place pot over medium-high heat and boil until sauce is slightly thickened, about 5 minutes. Divide polenta among 6 large bowls; top each with 1 lamb shank. Pour sauce over; serve.

BRAISED MEDITERRANEAN CHICKEN WITH POLENTA

Steps:

• Use a Dutch oven to heat oil.
• Season the chicken with the salt and pepper.
• Brown chicken on all sides in batches (about 8 minutes per batch).
• Drain the fat, but reserve 1 tablespoon and return the pot to heat.
• Cook garlic, tomatoes and oregano about 30 seconds.
• Add wine and scrape up the browned bits for 1 minute.
• Add broth and chicken to the pot and bring to a boil. Reduce to a simmer, cover and cook for 15 minutes.
• Add the zucchini and season again with salt and pepper.
• Cover and simmer for an additional 15 minutes before stirring in lemon juice.
• Meanwhile, combine 4 1/2 cups of water, 1 1/2 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp pepper in a large saucepan and bring to a boil. Slowly whisk in cornmeal. Reduce heat to medium-low and cook, whisking frequently for 20-25 minutes. Whisk in butter.

POLENTA WITH ROASTED MEDITERRANEAN VEGETABLES

Steps:

• Preheat broiler on low setting & position rack 4 inches from heat source. Line a baking sheet with foil. Spray generously with non-stick spray.
• Slice eggplant, zucchini and mushrooms into 1/4 inch slices.Cut red pepper into chunks.Brush vegetables with oil.
• Arrange in single layer onto pan and broil. Brush occasionally with oil. Turn as needed. When tender and slightly browned, remove from oven. (May cover and refrigerate if preparing ahead of time.).
• Make the Polenta:.
• Preheat oven to 350ºF. Spray an ovenproof 12-inch shallow baking dish generously with non-stick spray.
• In a medium saucepan, bring water to a boil. Reduce heat and slowly whisk in polenta. Continue to stir and cook for about 5 minutes.
• When polenta comes away from side of pan, stir in margarine and season with pepper. Remove from heat.
• Spread polenta on the bottom and up the sides of prepared baking dish. Brush with 1 teaspoon olive oil and bake for 10 minutes. Remove from oven and keep warm.
• Press spinach between paper towels to remove any remaining liquid. Spread in an even layer over polenta.Slice fresh tomatoes & arrange over spinach.Chop sundried tomatoes and olives & scatter over tomatoes.
• Top with remaining roasted vegetables. Sprinkle with oregano and cracked black pepper.
• Return to oven for another 10 minutes.When warmed through, remove and serve.

BAKED POLENTA SQUARES WITH MEDITERRANEAN TOPPINGS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Place polenta about 1/2 inch apart on an oiled baking sheet, and bake, flipping halfway through, until crisp, about 45 minutes total. Let cool 5 to 10 minutes. Top as desired. Serve warm.

CREAMY POLENTA FOR MEDITERRANEAN CHICKEN STEW

Steps:

• In a large saucepan, bring water, salt, and pepper to a boil over high heat.
• Whisking constantly, very gradually add cornmeal. Simmer over medium heat, whisking frequently, until thickened, 10 to 12 minutes.
• Remove from heat; stir in Parmesan cheese and butter until smooth.