Polenta Crusted Bacon Goat Cheese Arrotondares Con Ragu Food

POLENTA HALF-MOONS WITH WHIPPED GOAT CHEESE

Steps:

• Cook's Note: Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Arrange the pine nuts in a single layer on a baking sheet. Bake until lightly toasted, 6-8 minutes. Cool completely before using.
• For the polenta: Preheat the broiler. Bring 3 cups water and the salt to a boil in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Stir in the polenta and continue to stir until the polenta is thick, 5 to 8 minutes. Transfer the polenta to a sheet of parchment paper. Roll the polenta into a 2 1/2-diameter log. Refrigerate until cool, 30 minutes.
• Spray a heavy baking sheet with vegetable oil cooking spray. Slice the polenta into 1/8-inch-thick slices. Cut each slice of polenta in half to make half-moon shapes and arrange in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet. Brush with the olive oil and sprinkle with the Parmesan. Broil until the cheese is golden, 6 to 7 minutes. Set aside to cool for 10 minutes.
• For the goat cheese: Beat the goat cheese, cream, basil, salt and pepper in a medium bowl using an electric hand mixer on medium speed until light and fluffy, 1 minute. Stir in the pine nuts.
• Using two spoons to measure, place 1/2 to 3/4 teaspoon-size dollops of the goat cheese mixture on top of the polenta slices and serve.

POLENTA PASTICCIATA #RAGU

Steps:

• Ragu Recipe Contest Entry.
• Pre-heat oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Butter the bottom and sides of a 9" springform pan. Also fold a piece of foil around the bottom of the pan to catch any leaks as the dish cooks in the oven.
• In a large pot, bring water and salt to a boil over high heat. Once water is boiling, slowly whisk in corn grits.
• Reduce heat to simmer and stir frequently, to keep corn grits from sticking to the pot, until mixture is very thick.
• Stir the butter into the cooked polenta. Set pan aside, but cover the surface of the polenta with a piece of plastic wrap to keep the polenta from forming a skin on the top.
• In a large skillet, break up the Italian sausage and cook until it is browned and cooked through.
• Add the jar of Ragu to the sausage, stir to combine and cook just until it is heated through. Remove from heat and set pan aside.
• Pour half of the polenta into the springform pan and spread it evenly in the pan.
• Slice the log of goat cheese into equally thick slices (about 20) and arrange half of the goat cheese evenly over the top of the polenta.
• Sprinkle 1/4 cup of the Parmesan cheese over the goat cheese and polenta.
• Spread the arugula evenly over top of the cheese.
• Pour half of the sausage and Ragu mixture over top of the arugula and spread it evenly across the whole pan.
• Pour remaining polenta over top of the meat sauce and spread evenly in the pan.
• Spoon the rest of the sausage and Ragu mixture on top of the layer of polenta and spread it into an even layer.
• Arrange the remaining goat cheese evenly on top of the meat sauce.
• Sprinkle the 1/2 cup of Parmesan cheese evenly over top of the pasticciata.
• Place the foil lined springform pan onto a baking sheet and slide into the oven to bake for 45 minutes.
• Remove from oven when cheese is golden brown and bubbly.
• Let the pasticciata rest for 20 minutes before removing the outer ring and serving. This will allow it to cool a bit and will stay together once the outer ring has been removed.

15-MINUTE CHEESY POLENTA WITH CHUNKY TOMATO RAGU

Steps:

• Place a large high-sided skillet over medium-high heat. Combine the milk, 3 1/2 cups water and a large pinch of salt in a medium saucepan, cover and set it over medium-high heat.
• When the large skillet is hot, add 2 tablespoons of the oil and swirl the pan to coat. Add the sausage and cook, using a wooden spoon to break up the meat, until lightly browned in parts, about 3 minutes. Meanwhile, cut the onion into large chunks.
• Add the onion, carrots and garlic to a food processor and pulse until finely chopped. Add 2 tablespoons of olive oil, the vegetables and a large pinch of salt to the pan with the sausage and cook until the vegetables are slightly softened, about 3 minutes.
• By this time, the milk and water mixture should be at a strong simmer. Whisk in the polenta and lower the heat to medium-low. Cook, stirring frequently, until the polenta is thickened and creamy, about 3 minutes. Stir in the butter and cheese and season with additional salt if needed. Remove from the heat and cover to keep warm.
• When the vegetables are slightly softened, stir in the tomatoes and red pepper flakes. Cook, uncovered, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are completely tender and the juice from the tomatoes has reduced slightly, 6 to 8 minutes. Season to taste with additional salt and red pepper flakes if desired.
• Divide the polenta (if the polenta is too thick, whisk in 1/4 to 1/2 cup warm water to thin it out) among 4 bowls and top with the chunky tomato ragu. Toss the greens in a large bowl with the remaining olive oil, a squeeze of lemon juice, and some salt and pepper and serve on the side.

CREAMY POLENTA WITH BACON AND CRANBERRIES

Steps:

• For the polenta: Bring the broth, 2 1/2 cups water and the salt to a boil in a heavy 5-quart saucepan over medium-high heat. Gradually whisk in the polenta. Reduce the heat to low and cook, stirring often, until the mixture thickens and the cornmeal is tender, 15 to 20 minutes. Remove the pan from the heat. Add the Parmesan, milk and butter. Stir until the butter and Parmesan have melted. Season with salt and pepper.
• For assembly: Place an oven rack in the center of the oven. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Arrange the bacon in a single layer on a rimmed baking sheet. Bake until brown and crispy, 15 to 17 minutes. Drain on paper towels. When the bacon is cool enough to handle, chop into 1/2-inch pieces. Set aside.
• Whisk together the mascarpone cheese, maple syrup and salt in a small bowl until smooth.
• Transfer the polenta to 4 bowls or serving plates. Divide the bacon pieces and spoon on top. Dollop each serving with the mascarpone mixture and sprinkle with the dried cranberries.

LAYERED RAGU TACO SALAD WITH CRISPY TORTILLA TRIANGLES#RAGU

Steps:

• Cut each tortilla into 6 wedges. Spray cookie sheets with no-stick cooking spray. Add tortilla wedges in a single layer. Spray tops of tortilla wedges with no-stick cooking spray. Sprinkle with 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground sea salt. Bake in a preheated 350 degree oven for 15 minutes, or until crisp.
• In a 9-inch skillet over medium heat, cook and stir Italian sausage until browned. Drain off any fat. Measure out 1/2 cup Ragu sauce and set aside. Add remaining Ragu sauce, black beans, chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, onion powder and crushed red pepper. Cook and stir over medium heat until mixture begins to boil. Set aside.
• In a medium bowl, combine mashed avocados, remaining 1/2 cup Ragu sauce, spring onions, 1/2 cup cilantro, jalapeno peppers, minced garlic, lime juice, remaining salt, black pepper and pine nuts.
• To serve, place one cup arugula on each of 4 serving plates. Spoon on sausage, Ragu and black bean mixture. Top each with avocado mixture. Spoon onto each 1 tablespoon sour cream followed by the cheddar cheese and remaining 1/4 cup cilantro. Serve with the crispy tortilla triangles.
• Makes 4 servings.

POLENTA TOASTS WITH GOAT CHEESE AND FRESH THYME

Steps:

• Lightly oil 2 baking sheets. Combine 6 cups water and salt in heavy large saucepan. Bring to boil. Gradually add cornmeal, whisking until smooth. Reduce heat to low. Cover and cook until polenta is thick and creamy, stirring frequently, about 10 minutes. Cool 5 minutes.
• Preheat oven to 350°F. Spoon warm polenta out onto wet work surface. Roll out polenta with wet rolling pin to 1/3-inch thickness. Cool completely. Using wet 1 3/4- to- 2-inch round cookie cutter, cut out polenta rounds. Discard polenta scraps. Transfer rounds to baking sheets.
• Lightly brush polenta with oil. Bake polenta 15 minutes. Turn polenta rounds over. Lightly brush with oil and bake until polenta is slightly puffed and pale golden, about 10 minutes longer.
• Spoon goat cheese into pastry bag fitted with large star tip. Transfer polenta rounds to platter. Pipe 1 small rosette in center of each polenta round. Sprinkle with thyme and serve.

SHRIMP BACON CREAM CROQUETTE #RAGU

Steps:

• In a saucepan, put alfredo and polenta. Turn on the heat to medium and cook stirring constantly. When it starts to boil, reduce heat to medium-low and keep cooking stirring constantly until thickened. Let cool to room temperature.
• In the meantime, cook bacon in a large no-stick skillet over medium heat until crisp. Drain on paper towels and chop bacons into small pieces.
• When the alfredo mixture has cooled enough to handle, put shrimp and bacons into the saucepan and mix to combine.
• In a shallow bowl, put all-purpose flour. In another shallow bowl, beat eggs. In a shallow plate, mix together panko and parmesan cheese.
• Take about tablespoonsful of alfredo mixture and form into a ball. Coat each ball with all-purpose flour, dip in eggs and coat with panko mixture. (if it is very soft, use a spoon so that the ball doesn't fall apart) Repeat this until the alfredo mixture is gone.
• Work in several bathes. Heat enough canola oil to fry all balls in a fry pan or work and deep fry until golden brown. Drain on paper towels.

SPANAKOPITA TAQUITOS WITH GOAT CHEESE TOMATO DIPPING SAUCE #RAGU

Steps:

• To make filling,.
• 1. Add spinach into a large microwavable bowl along with 1/4 cup water. Microwave on high for 3 minutes until wilted.
• 2. Cool completely, transfer to a clean kitchen towel, wrap and squeeze well to get all the moisture out. Set aside.
• 3. Heat 3 tablespoons vegetable oil in medium non-stick skillet until shimmering.
• 4. Saute onion, garlic and cauliflower over medium heat for about 10 minutes until golden brown and cooked.
• 5. Add cayenne pepper powder, coriander powder and salt , stir for 1 minute.
• 6. Add spinach and saute for 2 minutes.
• 7. Transfer to a medium bowl, mix in 4 eggs and bread crumbs.
• To make taquitos.
• 1. Stack tortillas , wrap in a clean damp dish towel. Microwave until warm , about 1 minute.
• 2. Beat 2 eggs in a small bowl .
• 3. Working with one tortilla at a time, spread 3 tablespoons of filling over half of a tortilla and brush egg wash over the remaining half. Roll tightly starting from the filling side.
• 4. Place seam side down on a plate, cover with a another damp towel.
• 5. Repeat with remaining tortillas.
• 6. Heat 2 cups oil in a medium skillet to 350 degrees over medium heat.
• 7. Place 6 tortillas , seam side down, fry until golden brown on all sides (about 5-7 minutes, turning often).
• 8. Drain on paper towels, repeat with remaining taquitos.
• To make dipping sauce,.
• 1. Transfer RAGU SAUCE and goat cheese into a medium sauce pan.
• 2. Heat over low flame , stirring often until cheese is melted.
• Serve taquitos with dipping sauce.
• makes 4 servings as light meal.

ITALIAN SAUSAGE BALLS STUFFED WITH GOAT CHEESE #RAGU

Steps:

• Take your sausage out of the casing.
• Take a small ice cream scoop to make sure all your sausage balls are the same size.
• Take a teaspoons of goat chees put it in the middle of your meat roll into a ball continue until all your sauge is gone.
• In a bowl add your Italian bread crumbs.
• Roll all your sausage balls & coat well with your bread crumbs.
• Heat your oil to high heat drop in your sausage balls & cook until golden brown & por is cooked.
• In a large pot boil your pasta until andante.
• Heat your Ragu sauce.
• Drain your pasta.
• Add a serving of pasta to your plate 3 sausage goat cheese stuffed balls top with The Ragu Chunky sauce & enjoy all the amazing flavors.

CREAMY POLENTA AND GARLIC LEMON SHRIMP #RAGU

Steps:

• Combine the Ragu Sauce, garlic cloves and ¾ cup sun-dried tomatoes, (without draining the oil as you spoon it out of the jar), in the bowl of a food processor and process for several seconds. The mixture won't be completely smooth but the tomato pieces should be very fine and the garlic completely blended inches Reserve until complete with the polenta and shrimp portion of this meal.
• To prepare the polenta: Combine the polenta, stock, water, sage and herbs in a medium saucepan and bring to a boil over medium heat. Once it boils, reduce the heat to medium-low and cook, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon, until the polenta starts to separate from the sides of the pan, about 10-15 minutes. Stir in the butter, parmesan and goat cheeses and cheese two minutes until the butter and cheese have melted and been incorporated into the polenta. Transfer the cooked polenta to four serving dishes.
• To prepare the shrimps: Marinate in lemon juice and salt for a few minutes before cooking. Cook the shrimps in olive oil over medium-high heat for 2-3 minutes on each side or until just pink.
• To finish off the sauce: Transfer the sauce mixture to a small saucepan and heat over medium heat for 2-3 minutes. Season with salt to taste. Add a pinch of sugar as you heat the to give the sauce a nice balance.
• Turn off the heat, transfer to a bowl and stir in the olive oil. Spoon the sauce over the warmed, cooked polenta, top with shrimps and garnish with fresh arugula.

PAN-FRIED POLENTA WITH CORN, KALE AND GOAT CHEESE

Steps:

• In a medium saucepan, heat the butter over medium heat. Add the garlic and stir constantly for 1 minute; don't let the garlic brown. Add 3 cups of the water, and bring it to a boil.
• While the water heats, whisk together in a bowl the cornmeal, salt, and 1 cup water to make a smooth mixture.
• When the water in the saucepan comes to a boil, pour the mixture into it. Whisk constantly for 3 minutes to prevent lumps from forming. Turn the heat to low. Cook for 40 minutes, stirring with a wooden spoon every 10 minutes. Stir in the corn kernels and cook the polenta 5 minutes more. Stir in the pepper and Parmesan cheese. Pour the polenta into a lightly oiled 8x8 inch pan and smooth the top with a spatula. Chill the polenta in a refrigerator for 1 hour.
• While the polenta is cooling, cut away the stems and center stalks of the kale. Cut the leaves into 3-inch pieces.
• Cut the chilled polenta into 4 large triangles. Heat the olive oil in a large non-stick skillet over medium-high heat. When the oil begins to smoke, carefully add the polenta triangles. Fry the polenta until it is golden brown on the underside, then turn the polenta over and cook it until it is golden brown on the other side. Arrange the polenta on a baking sheet.
• Preheat the broiler on your oven.
• Place the kale and 1/3 cup water into the skillet that was just used to fry the polenta. Cover the skillet and cook the kale over a medium-high heat for 4 minutes.
• Place the tomato slices on top of the polenta triangles. Sprinkle the goat cheese on top of the tomato slices. Broil the polenta until the cheese melts and the tomatoes begin to cook.
• Arrange the kale on a serving platter. Place the hot polenta triangles on top of the kale and serve immediately.