Polenta Florentine Food

CHEESY POLENTA

Steps:

• Bring the water to a boil in a large, heavy pot. Add the salt. Gradually whisk in the cornmeal. Reduce the heat to low and cook, stirring often, until the mixture thickens and the cornmeal is tender, 15 to 20 minutes. Remove the pot from the heat. Add the cheese, milk, butter, and parsley. Stir until the butter and cheese have melted. Season with salt and pepper, to taste. Transfer the polenta to a bowl and serve.

BASIC POLENTA

Steps:

• 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.

HOW TO MAKE PERFECT POLENTA

Steps:

• Bring water and salt to a boil in a large saucepan; pour polenta slowly into boiling water, whisking constantly until all polenta is stirred in and there are no lumps.
• Reduce heat to low and simmer, whisking often, until polenta starts to thicken, about 5 minutes. Polenta mixture should still be slightly loose. Cover and cook for 30 minutes, whisking every 5 to 6 minutes. When polenta is too thick to whisk, stir with a wooden spoon. Polenta is done when texture is creamy and the individual grains are tender.
• Turn off heat and gently stir 2 tablespoons butter into polenta until butter partially melts; mix 1/2 cup Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese into polenta until cheese has melted. Cover and let stand 5 minutes to thicken; stir and taste for salt before transferring to a serving bowl. Top polenta with remaining 1 tablespoon butter and about 1 tablespoon freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese for garnish.

POLENTA FLORENTINE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350.
• Spray a 2 quart oven-proof casserole with non-stick spray.
• Combine broth, water, 1 teaspoon salt, garlic powder, cornmeal, and butter in the casserole; stir well.
• Bake for 40 minutes.
• Meanwhile, defrost spinach and thoroughly squeeze dry. Season with remaining salt and pepper. Drain tomatoes.
• Remove polenta from oven. Add spinach, tomatoes, ricotta, and parmesan; stir well.
• Return to oven and bake for 5 more minutes.
• Remove from oven and allow to rest for 5 minutes before serving.

CREAMY POLENTA WITH SPINACH

Steps:

• In a Dutch oven, bring the chicken broth, oil, garlic and 1 1/2 cups water to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce the heat to medium low and whisk in the polenta. Season with 1/2 teaspoon salt and cook, stirring occasionally with a wooden spoon, about 10 minutes. Stir in the Parmesan, mascarpone, pecorino and butter. Cook, stirring often, about 5 minutes. Fold in the spinach and cook until wilted, about 5 minutes longer. Add 1/4 cup water if the mixture gets too thick.
• Pour the polenta into a large bowl and serve with grated Parmesan over the top.

POLENTA TRIANGLES

Steps:

• Combine grits and 1/2 cup broth; mix well and set aside.
• Pour remaining 1 cup broth into heavy, large saucepan; bring to a boil.
• Add garlic and moistened grits; mix well and return to a boil. Reduce heat to low; cover and cook 20 minutes.
• Remove from heat; add feta cheese. Stir until cheese is completely melted.
• Add red pepper; mix well.
• Spray 8-inch square pan with cooking spray. Spoon grits mixture into prepared pan. Press grits evenly into pan with wet fingertips.
• Refrigerate until cold.
• Preheat broiler. Spray baking sheet with cooking spray.
• Turn polenta out onto cutting board and cut into 2-inch squares. Cut each square diagonally into 2 triangles.
• Place polenta triangles on prepared baking sheet and spray tops lightly with cooking spray. Place under broiler until lightly browned and crisp.
• Serve warm or at room temperature. Garnish with fresh oregano and chives if desired.
• Exchanges 1 starch/bread.

POLENTA

Steps:

• Gradually add the polenta to the lightly salted, hot water by allowing it to fall from your hand from above the pot like sand through your fingers.
• If the water is not boiling, you will be able to stir in all the polenta without lumps forming.
• As the temperature rises, the flour will integrate with the water and thicken.
• Stir all the time, and if you have used too much of the flour and the mixture is too thick, add a little water.
• I taste for salt and perhaps add a little parmesan cheese.
• When the polenta is smooth and does not taste of raw maize, it is ready.
• You can use this sloppy polenta with anything that has been braising for a while.
• Alternatively, pour the polenta into a flat baking dish where it will cool and become firm.
• At that point, it can be grilled or oven baked for 20 minutes.
• As a grilled slice, polenta can be used as a base for eggplant slices, goats cheese, rocket, prosciutto and so on.
• For me, grilled polenta is good with either baked or fried fish and lumps of parmesan cheese.
• Baked polenta can be dressed with cheese, roasted capsicum and fine pancetta.
• After you have poured the polenta into a tray, some will remain stuck to the sides of the pot.
• Let it dry even for a day, and peel these skins off.
• They are delicious with parmesan cheese.

MOROCCAN POLENTA

Steps:

• In A small to med Sized Sauce Pan.
• Heat Oil over Med - Med High Heat and Saute Onions for about 5 min (Till Soft).
• Place in a Double Boiler, careful not to add to much water.
• Add Corn Meal and Stock and Stir.
• Let cook in Double Boiler for about 15-20 minutes (Until Polenta is soft and Creamy)
• Salt to Taste.
• Serve Hot.