Polenta Corn Dog Food

POLENTA CORN DOG

Steps:

• In a medium bowl set over a saucepan of simmering water, whisk together the polenta and 2 cups water. Cook until the water is absorbed and polenta is cooked, about 5 minutes. Set aside, stirring occasionally, until cool. In a separate medium bowl, stir together the flour, sugar, salt, baking soda, milk, egg yolk and 1/3 cup water (mixture will be lumpy). Stir in the polenta until smooth.
• In a large Dutch oven, heat the oil until it registers 350 degrees F on a thermometer. Pierce the sausages with chopsticks (do not pierce all the way through). Working in batches, dip the sausages into the polenta batter until evenly coated. Place the sausages (still on sticks) in the hot oil. Cook, turning occasionally, until the corn dogs float to the top and are evenly browned, about 5 minutes.

POLENTA WITH CORN

Steps:

• In a medium-size saucepan, bring the milk, 2 cups water and bay leaf to a boil. Season generously with salt, almost to the point of over seasoning. How do you know that you are there? TASTE IT! When it has reached a boil, slowly whisk in the polenta in small sprinkles. Once all of the polenta has been incorporated, reduce the heat to medium and immediately switch over to stirring with a wooden spoon. Cook the polenta until it begins to pull away from the pan, adding water to loosen it up if it becomes too thick. Add the corn and stir to combine. When the polenta is thoroughly cooked, it should look creamy and not feel gritty on your tongue. Remove it from the heat and stir in the Parmesan and mascarpone.

CREAMY CORN-STUDDED POLENTA

Steps:

• Bring broth, cream, and salt to boil in medium saucepan. Gradually whisk in polenta; reduce heat to medium-low and simmer 10 minutes, stirring often. Add corn; increase heat and bring to boil. Reduce heat to medium-low; cook until polenta is soft, thick, and creamy, stirring often, about 15 minutes. Stir in butter and season to taste with salt and pepper. Serve hot.

BASIC POLENTA

Steps:

• For firm polenta use 4 cups water; for soft polenta use 5 cups water. Bring water to a boil in a medium-size heavy sauce pan over high heat. Add 1 teaspoon salt. Pour cornmeal slowly into water, stirring with a wire whisk or wooden spoon. Continue stirring as mixture thickens, 2 to 3 minutes.
• Turn heat to low. Cook for at least 45 minutes, stirring every 10 minutes or so. If polenta becomes quite thick, thin it with 1/2 cup water, stir well and continue cooking. Add up to 1 cup more water as necessary, to keep polenta soft enough to stir. Put a spoonful on a plate, let it cool, then taste. Grains should be swollen and taste cooked, not raw. Adjust salt and add pepper if you wish.
• For firm polenta, lightly butter a baking sheet or shallow dish, approximately 8 1/2 by 11 inches. Carefully pour polenta into pan. Using a spatula, spread polenta to a thickness of 3/4 inch. Cool to room temperature to allow polenta to solidify. Cover and refrigerate for up to 3 days. For soft polenta, add 6 tablespoons butter to pot and stir well. Serve immediately or transfer to a double boiler set over low heat, cover and keep warm for up to an hour or so. (Or set the saucepan in a pot of barely simmering water.) Stir well before spooning into low soup bowls. Sprinkle with Parmesan, if desired.

CORN DOGS

Steps:

• Combine cornmeal, flour, baking powder, salt and egg; mix well.
• Stir in milk to make a thick batter; place in a tall narrow glass. Let stand 4 minutes to thicken.
• Meanwhile, heat oil to 375 degrees F.
• Pat hot dogs dry. Dust with flour if desired. Insert sticks in hot dogs; dip into batter. Let excess drip off.
• Fry until golden brown, about 5-6 minutes. (I've found it works best to fry them one at a time. Unless you have a fryer that is big enough to handle more without them touching.).
• Drain on paper towel.