Mexican Style Chili With Polenta Squares Food

THREE-BEAN CHILI WITH POLENTA CRUST

Steps:

• In a large skillet, saute onion and pepper in oil until tender. Add the garlic, chili seasoning, brown sugar and allspice; cook 1 minute longer. Stir in the beans, broth and tomatoes. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, for 15 minutes., Transfer to an ungreased 11x7-in. baking dish (dish will be full). Place dish on a baking sheet. Arrange polenta slices over top; sprinkle with cheese., Bake, uncovered, at 375° for 30-35 minutes or until bubbly.

MEXICAN-STYLE CHILI WITH POLENTA SQUARES

Steps:

• Coat a 9" square baking pan with cooking spray. In a medium saucepan, bring 2 cups water to a boil with salt. In a small bowl, whisk together remaining 1 cup water and cornmeal. Gradually stir into boiling water until mixture has thickened, about 1 minute. Pour into prepared pan and spread evenly. Place in refrigerator to firm up, at least 30 minutes.
• Meanwhile, in a large saucepan, heat oil over medium heat. Add onions and garlic. Cook, stirring occasionally, until softened and slightly golden, about 5 minutes.
• Add beans with their liquid, tomato sauce, chili powder, and cumin; stir to combine. Bring slowly to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer, uncovered, 15 minutes, stirring frequently.
• Remove polenta from the refrigerator and cut into 16 squares. Coat a large griddle or frying pan with cooking spray and heat over medium heat until hot. Add polenta squares, in batches if necessary, and cook, turning, until lightly browned on both sides, about 6 minutes total.
• To serve, spoon chili into 8 individual bowls. Top each bowl with 2 polenta squares and sprinkle each with 2 tablespoons cheese.

MEXICAN CHILI

Steps:

• Heat the oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the onions and cook, stirring occasionally, until translucent, about 5 minutes. Stir in the garlic and cook, stirring occasionally, until slightly golden, 2 to 3 minutes. Add the beef, breaking it up with a wooden spoon, and cook for about 5 minutes. Add the chili powder, cumin, oregano, salt, cayenne and chile paste and stir until the beef is coated with the seasonings. Add the tomatoes with their juices, beans, enchilada sauce and chocolate and stir. Reduce the heat, cover and simmer until thickened, stirring occasionally, about 30 minutes.
• Garnish the chili with your desired toppings and serve.

CHILI WITH POLENTA AND VEGETABLES

Steps:

• In a pot, bring milk and 2 1/2 cups water to a simmer; season lightly with salt. Whisking constantly, add polenta in a thin stream. Reduce heat to low; cook, whisking occasionally, until polenta is tender and creamy, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat; stir in butter. Season with salt and pepper; cover to keep warm.
• In a large skillet over medium-high, heat oil and garlic until fragrant, 1 to 2 minutes. Remove and discard garlic; add mushrooms and cook, stirring, until browned, 10 to 12 minutes. Add spinach; season with salt and pepper, and cook until just wilted, 1 to 2 minutes. Add vinegar; cook 30 seconds. Season with salt and pepper.
• Reheat chili. Serve with vegetables over polenta.

POLENTA SQUARES WITH MUSHROOM RAGU

Steps:

• Bring the water, 1 tablespoon butter, and 1/2 teaspoon salt to a boil in a heavy medium saucepan. Gradually whisk in the polenta. Reduce the heat to medium-low. Stir constantly until the polenta thickens, about 5 minutes. Pour the polenta into a greased 9 by 9-inch baking pan, spreading so that it is 1/3-inch thick. Cover and let stand at room temperature until set, about 15 minutes.
• Meanwhile, heat the oil in a heavy large frying pan over medium-high heat. Add the mushrooms and onion. Sprinkle with 1/2 teaspoon of salt and 1/4 teaspoon of pepper and saute until the juices evaporate, about 8 minutes. Add the garlic and saute until the mushrooms are golden brown, about 2 minutes longer. Decrease the heat to medium-low. Add the Marsala. Cover and simmer until the Marsala has reduced by about half, about 5 minutes. Stir the flour and remaining 2 tablespoons of butter in a small bowl to form a paste, then stir the paste into the mushroom mixture. Cover and simmer until the sauce thickens slightly, about 2 minutes. Remove from the heat. Stir the parsley into the ragu. Season the ragu, to taste, with more salt and pepper.
• Cut the polenta into 36 bite-size squares. Arrange the polenta squares on a platter. Spoon the warm ragu atop the polenta and serve immediately.

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.

POLENTA ENCHILADA BAKE

Steps:

• Pre-heat oven to 425 degrees F. Slice up the polenta into 8 equal sized pieces. Heat a large skillet over medium heat and add 2 teaspoons olive oil and polenta slices. Season the tops with salt and cook until each side is lightly browned, about 2 minutes on each side.
• While polenta is cooking dice up the bell peppers and onion. Remove polenta from the skillet and add remaining 1 teaspoon olive oil and diced vegetables. Cook for about 5 minutes and then add in the black beans and all the spices. Cook for another 1-2 minutes.
• Pour half the enchilada sauce on the bottom of a medium sized oven safe baking dish and then top with the veggie and bean mixture. Lay the polenta slices down in a single layer and pour over remaining enchilada sauce. Top with shredded cheese and bake until bubbly and cheese is melted, 7-10 minutes. Serve with your favorite toppings and enjoy!

FRIED POLENTA SQUARES WITH CREAMY MUSHROOM RAGU

Steps:

• Bring 4 cups of water to a boil. Whisk in the polenta. Once it begins to thicken, reduce heat to a simmer and cook for 45 minutes until creamy and thick, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking. Stir in the Parmesan and a 1/4 teaspoon of salt. Stir until melted and cheese is no longer visible. Remove from heat.
• Line an 8x11 inch baking dish with Reynolds Wrap® Aluminum Foil and carefully pour the polenta into the baking dish, using a spatula to smooth it to an even thickness, about 3/4 inch. Cover and refrigerate for at least two hours and up to two days until firm.
• While the polenta chills, make your ragu. In a large heavy skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat until shimmering. Add the onion and garlic and saute until fragrant and translucent, about 5 minutes. Stir often to prevent browning. Add mushrooms and thyme and cook over medium-high heat until the mushrooms start to release their liquid. Add 1/2 teaspoon of salt and continue to cook another 5 minutes until they begin to soften more.
• Add flour, stirring, until it is no longer visible, about 1 minute. Add in the wine, cream and sugar, and bring the mixture to a simmer. Taste and adjust salt if desired. Simmer until thick and creamy and the mushrooms are nicely coated, about 15 minutes. Finish with a squeeze of fresh lemon juice and 1/2 cup minced parsley. Set aside and cover to keep warm.
• Slice your polenta into squares -- whatever size you desire. Wipe down your skillet, coat it with nonstick cooking spray, and heat it over medium-high. Fry the squares in the pan until golden brown and warmed through. To serve, top the squares with warm mushroom ragu.

POLENTA CHILI CASSEROLE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°. 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 15-20 minutes or until polenta is thickened and pulls away cleanly from sides of pan. , Remove from heat. Stir in 1/4 cup cheddar cheese until melted., Spread into a 13x9-in. baking dish coated with cooking spray. Bake, uncovered, 20 minutes. Meanwhile, heat chili according to package directions. , Spread vegetables over polenta; top with chili. Sprinkle with remaining cheese. Bake 12-15 minutes longer or until cheese is melted. Let stand 10 minutes before serving.

POLENTA WITH GREEN CHILES AND CHEESE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees; Butter an 8x8x2-inch baking dish.
• Mix milk, Water, cornmeal, garlic, and salt in a heavy saucepan, bring to simmer over medium heat, stirring constantly; cook until polenta is thickened, stirring often, 12 to 15 minutes, add salt and pepper to taste; stir in Parmesan cheese.
• Pour half of polenta into prepared dish; cover with half of the chilies and half of corn, sprinkle with half of the cilantro and 1 cup Monterey Jack cheese; drizzle with 1/4 cup of cream.
• REPEAT; Spoon remaining polenta over and cover with remaining chilies, corn, cilantro and cheese, pour the other 1/4 cup cream over top.
• Bake until polenta puffs and cheese begins to brown, about 25 minutes; cut into squares and serve.

CHEESY POLENTA

Steps:

• In a large pot over medium-high heat, bring milk, water, and salt to a boil. Gradually whisk in polenta. Reduce heat to low, and cover. Cook 20 minutes, until creamy, lifting the lid and stirring every 3 or 4 minutes to prevent sticking. Remove pot from stove, stir in pepper and butter. Gradually stir in cheese. Serve.

POLENTA WITH GREEN CHILIES AND CHEESE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400°F. Butter 8 x 8 x 2-inch glass baking dish. Mix first 5 ingredients in heavy medium saucepan. Bring to simmer over medium heat, whisking constantly. Cook until polenta is tender and thickens, stirring often, about 12 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Stir in Parmesan.
• Pour half of polenta into prepared dish. Cover with half of chilies and half of corn. Sprinkle with half of cilantro and 1 cup Jack cheese. Drizzle with 1/4 cup cream. Spoon remaining polenta over. Cover with remaining chilies, corn, cilantro and cheese. Pour 1/4 cup cream over. (Can be made 1 day ahead. Chill.) Bake until polenta puffs and cheese begins to brown, about 25 minutes if not chilled or 30 minutes if chilled. Cut into squares and serve.

MEXICAN POLENTA PIE

Steps:

• preheat oven to 375°F.
• In a skillet cook onion, sweet pepper,and garlic in 1 tablespoon hot oil until tender.
• Add turkey, chili powder, cumin and cayenne.
• Cook until turkey is no longer pink, stirring to break up meat.
• Add beans, undrained tomatoes and salsa.
• Bring to boiling; reduce heat.
• Simmer gently 15 minutes.
• Meanwhile, grease a 3-quart rectangular baking dish with the remaining 1 tablespoon oil.
• Cut 1 tube polenta into 1/2-inch cubes; press evenly into prepared baking dish.
• Halve remaining polenta lengthwise and cut into 1/2-inch thick slices; set aside.
• Sprinkle 1 cup of cheese over polenta in dish.
• Top with meat mixture.
• Arrange sliced polenta over meat; sprinkle with remaining cheese and fresh tomato.
• Bake, uncovered, for 35 minutes or until bubbly.
• Sprinkle with cilantro.
• Let stand 15 to 20 minutes before serving.
• Makes 12 servings.

SIMPLE CHILI WITH POLENTA

Steps:

• Polenta: boil water, then stir 1 cup cornmeal into 1 cup (cold) broth.
• Add boiling water and salt, and bring to a boil. [Start cooking chili while waiting for it to boil.].
• Once it boils, lower heat and cover. Stir occasionally and cook for about ten minutes, until thick (starts clinging to the sides of the pan). Remove from heat and stir in parmesan. Serve warm.
• For chili: Brown turkey in a medium-large saucepan. If adding onions or peppers, can cook them at the same time.
• Add tomatoes (undrained), black and pinto beans, and desired seasonings. Start with a small amount of seasoning and add gradually to avoid "Oh no! It's too spicy!" for you wimps like me. :).
• Bring to a simmer and ladle polenta into bowls. Spoon chili on top; add grated cheese if desired.

CALZAGATTI (PAN-FRIED POLENTA AND BEANS)

Steps:

• Bring 3 cups of water to boil in a large pot. Add 1/2 teaspoon salt. Sprinkle in polenta, whisking constantly, to avoid lumps from forming. Reduce heat and simmer, stirring often, until polenta is creamy and no longer gritty, 15 to 20 minutes. Turn off the heat.
• While polenta is cooking, heat 1 teaspoon olive oil in a skillet. Add guanciale and saute until crispy. Add minced onion, garlic clove, and rosemary and cook until garlic is lightly browned and fragrant but not burned, about 1 minute. Remove and discard garlic clove. Stir in cranberry beans and tomatoes and simmer until thickened a bit, about 5 minutes.
• Fold bean mixture into polenta and mix well. Pour into a 9-inch square glass dish or silicone cake pan and allow to cool, about 30 minutes.
• Flip cooled polenta over and set out, covered with cheesecloth, to air-dry until most of the moisture has evaporated, 8 hours to overnight.
• Cut dried polenta into 2x3-inch rectangles.
• Heat a pan over medium-high heat and add 2 tablespoons oil. Add a few polenta rectangles to the hot oil and cook until brown and crisp, 3 to 4 minutes, without disturbing the calzagatti. Flip, and cook until brown and crisp on the other side. Remove and drain on paper towels. Continue with the rest of the calzagatti, adding more oil as necessary.