Polenta Crusted Roasted Potatoes Food

PARMESAN-CRUSTED POTATOES

Steps:

• Line a rimmed baking sheet with aluminum foil and place on the center rack of the oven. Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F (see Cook's Note).
• For the Parmesan potatoes: Toss the potatoes, thyme sprigs, olive oil, 1 teaspoon salt and several grinds of black pepper in a large bowl until combined. Carefully remove the hot baking sheet from the oven and spray with nonstick cooking spray. Lay the potatoes cut-side-down in an even layer. Bake until tender and golden brown, about 35 minutes.
• For the smoked paprika aioli: Meanwhile, whisk together the mayonnaise, lemon juice, Dijon, paprika, garlic, a pinch of salt and a couple grinds of black pepper in a small bowl until smooth. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate until ready to serve.
• Remove the baking sheet from the oven and push the potatoes to one side of the pan (try to give yourself as much empty surface area as possible). Lightly spray the foil with more cooking spray, then sprinkle the Parmesan in an even layer over the empty space on the baking sheet, making sure to go all the way to the edges to create a roughly 14-by-12-inch rectangle. Place the potatoes on top of the Parmesan layer, cut-side down, so that all the potatoes are sitting on the cheese.
• Return the baking sheet to the oven and bake until all the Parmesan is golden brown and crisp, 8 to 10 minutes more. Cool slightly, about 5 minutes, then use a spatula to lift the crispy, cheesy potatoes off the pan (some potatoes will come off individually while others will come off in pairs). Serve with the smoked paprika aioli on the side.

PARMESAN-CRUSTED POLENTA

Steps:

• Add 8 cups water, the oil and salt to a large saucepan over medium-high heat and bring to a boil.
• Slowly stream in the polenta while whisking constantly. Reduce the heat to low and cook until the polenta is thickened and smooth, about 3 minutes.
• Meanwhile, place a large, heavy-bottomed pan over medium heat. Drizzle with olive oil and evenly coat the bottom of the pan. Sprinkle 1 cup of the Parmesan evenly over the bottom of the pan and allow to toast until golden brown and nutty, about 2 minutes. Remove from the heat.
• Pour the polenta over the Parmesan crust and smooth the surface. Sprinkle with the remaining 1/2 cup Parmesan. Set at room temperature until firm, 20 to 30 minutes. (At this point, the polenta can be refrigerated up to overnight.)
• When ready to serve, place the pan back over medium heat to warm the cheese. Place a large plate or serving platter over the surface and invert the polenta onto the plate. Serve topped with your favorite sauce.

POLENTA POTATOES

Steps:

• Butter a 9-by-14-inch broiler-proof baking dish.
• Cut out the blemishes or imperfections from the potatoes. Quarter the potatoes, add them to large pot with salted water to cover and boil until soft, 25 to 30 minutes.
• Mash the potatoes, transfer them to a large bowl and cool in the refrigerator for 30 minutes.
• Meanwhile, heat the cream, milk and 1 stick of the butter in a stock pot until warm. Add the polenta and 1 teaspoon of salt and cook over medium heat, stirring continuously to prevent clumping, until smooth and creamy, 50 to 60 minutes.
• Stir the pepper and remaining stick of butter into the polenta. Add the polenta to the mashed potatoes and stir until thoroughly combined.
• Transfer the polenta mixture to the prepared baking dish and spread it into an even layer.
• Preheat the broiler. Broil the polenta mixture until the top of the dish has browned, 12 to 15 minutes. Serve immediately.

POTATO POLENTA

Steps:

• Peel the potatoes and in a heavy bottomed sauce pan, cook them covered with water until done, drain most of the water, leaving about one cup with the potatoes. Mash the potatoes well in the remaining water add salt and the corn meal mix well till smooth, return to medium heat and cook for 20-30 minutes stirring with a wooden spoon often.
• In the meantime sauté the bacon and onion in the olive oil until rendered and the bacon is crisp.
• When the polenta is cooked and begins to pull off the sides, remove from heat and toss in the cheese cubes as well as the onion bacon sofritto. Mix well and serve.