Polenta Pizza Food

SIMPLE POLENTA PIZZA

Steps:

• Start by making the polenta. In a skillet or saucepan on medium to high heat, bring the water and salt to a boil. Then add the polenta, cook for a minute and then turn the heat down to low. Important: use a whisk to constantly mix the cooking ingredients to avoid sticking.
• Once the polenta has somewhat thickened you can cover it and allow it to continue to cook for another 25-30 minutes or until the polenta has become thick and creamy, continuing to whisk as needed.
• While the polenta cooks you can prepare the baking sheet or pizza pan. Prep this sheet or pan with some Parchment Paper that is sprinkled with the additional polenta (about 1 tablespoon should be needed for this).
• Remove the polenta from the stove and stir in any additional seasonings. Then you can transfer the polenta to the prepared baking sheet or pizza pan. The crust should be 1/3-1/2" thick.
• Cover the crust with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least an hour or up to a day. The crust should be firm when removed from the refrigerator.
• When you are ready to make your pizza, remove the pizza crust from the refrigerator. Also, remove the plastic wrap. Preheat your oven to 450. Sprinkle the olive oil over the crust and bake it for 10-12 minutes or until it begins to become crisp and brown around the edges.
• Remove the crust from the oven and top with your desired toppings.
• Return the topped pizza to the oven and bake until done, about 12-15 minutes.

POLENTA PIZZA BITES

Steps:

• Preheat the broiler to high. Brush the polenta with the olive oil on both sides and place the disks on a broiler pan covered with foil. Broil until the tops begin to turn golden, about 1 minute (watch closely as broiler heat varies).
• Flip the polenta disks over and spread about 1 tablespoon of the marinara sauce on each one, then top with cheese and other toppings (if using). Broil until the cheese is golden and bubbly, about 1 more minute. Let cool a few minutes and serve.

POLENTA 'PIZZA' WITH PANCETTA AND SPINACH

Steps:

• Heat oven to 450 degrees; brush a layer of olive oil on a pizza pan or cookie sheet. In a medium saucepan over medium-high heat, combine milk with 2 1/2 cups water and a large pinch of salt. Bring just about to a boil, reduce heat to medium, and add cornmeal in a steady stream, whisking all the while to prevent lumps from forming. Turn heat to low and simmer, whisking frequently, until thick, 10 or 15 minutes. If mixture becomes too thick, whisk in a bit more water; you want a consistency approaching thick oatmeal.
• Stir 1 tablespoon oil into cooked cornmeal (polenta). Spoon it onto prepared pan, working quickly so polenta does not stiffen; spread it evenly to a thickness of about 1/2 inch all over. Sprinkle with salt and pepper, cover baking sheet with plastic wrap and put it in refrigerator until it is firm, an hour or more (you can refrigerate polenta overnight if you prefer).
• Put polenta in oven and bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until it begins to brown and crisp on edges. Meanwhile, put two tablespoons oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add onion and pancetta and cook, stirring occasionally, until onion is soft and pancetta is nicely browned, about 10 minutes. Use a slotted spoon to take onion and pancetta out of pan; set aside. Add spinach to skillet and sauté until it releases its water and pan becomes dry; sprinkle with salt and lots of pepper.
• Take polenta out of oven, sprinkle with Gorgonzola, then spread onion-pancetta mixture and spinach evenly on top of cheese; drizzle with another tablespoon olive oil. Put pizza back in oven for two minutes, or until cheese begins to melt and pancetta and vegetables are warmed through. Cut into slices and serve hot or at room temperature.

POLENTA "PIZZA" WITH CRUMBLED SAGE

Steps:

• 1. Bring 4 cups water to a boil in a large heavy saucepan and add 2 teaspoons salt. Whisk in the polenta and continue whisking as it begins to bubble. After a minute or two, when the polenta has thickened a bit, reduce the heat to low and let cook gently, stirring occasionally, for about 45 minutes, until thickened and smooth, with no raw cornmeal taste. If the polenta gets too thick as it cooks, add a bit more water. Remove a spoonful and cool, then taste and adjust the seasoning, if necessary.
• 2. Spread the polenta on a lightly oiled baking dish to a thickness of 1/2 inch. Let cool and set, preferably overnight, in the refrigerator.
• 3. Heat the oven to 400°F, with a rack in the top third. Tear the mozzarella into big shreds and scatter over the polenta. Top with the Parmesan. Drizzle lightly with oil and crumble the sage leaves on top.
• 4. Bake the polenta until the cheese is bubbling and lightly browned, 10 to 15 minutes. Sprinkle with red pepper flakes and freshly ground black pepper to taste and let cool slightly.
• 5. Serve cut into rough wedges or squares.

POLENTA PIZZA WITH PURPLE SPROUTING BROCCOLI & MOZZARELLA

Steps:

• Heat the grill to its highest setting. In a medium saucepan, bring the stock to a boil, then slowly pour in the polenta, whisking constantly. Add some salt and 2 tbsp of the Parmesan. Continue to whisk until thick, about 3 mins.
• Grease a large baking tray with 1 tsp of the oil, pour over the polenta and spread it out to a 30cm circle - if you have time, leave it to chill, uncovered, in the fridge for 30 mins.
• Blanch the broccoli in boiling water for 2 mins. Rinse in cold water and drain well. If any stems are thick, halve them lengthways. In a small bowl, mix the cherry tomatoes with the garlic and remaining oil. Season well.
• Layer the mozzarella over the polenta, then add the broccoli, tomatoes, peppers and remaining Parmesan. Pop under the grill for 3-4 mins or until golden at the edges and the cheese has 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 CAPRESE PIZZA

Steps:

• Lightly coat a large rimmed baking sheet with 1 tablespoon oil. In a large pot, bring milk, 3 cups water and salt to boil over high heat. Whisk in cornmeal in a gentle stream and reduce heat to medium-low. Simmer, stirring often, until polenta is thick and no longer gritty, about 20 minutes. Working quickly, pour polenta into prepared pan, spreading evenly to the edges. Let stand 10 minutes; cover with plastic wrap and press polenta along sides of pan to form edges of crust. Refrigerate at least 2 hours or overnight.
• Heat oven to 450°. Bake chilled crust until it begins to brown at edges, 45 minutes to an hour. Heat remaining 1 tablespoon oil in a large saucepan. Sauté shallots and garlic over medium-high heat until soft, 3 minutes. Add tomatoes and cook, stirring occasionally, until they begin to soften, 5 minutes. Mash with the back of a spoon and cook until thickened, 3 minutes more. Season with salt and pepper. Spoon sauce onto the crust, top with cheese and bake until cheese is bubbling, 10 to 15 minutes. Top with basil and cut into squares.

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 MINI PIZZAS

Steps:

• Preheat broiler.
• Heat olive oil on griddle or in frying pan on medium/medium high.
• Slice polenta into six 1/2 inch rounds.
• Fry polenta according to package directions. If there are no directions for frying, fry 5 minutes per side.
• Remove from griddle/pan, and place on a baking sheet. Prepare each slice like you would a pizza, layering 1 tablespoon pasta sauce, a basil leaf, 1 tablespoon ricotta, then 1 teaspoon parmesan. Broil 2-4 minutes until lightly browned.
• Note: Be careful when removing from the oven, especially if you're using a flat baking sheet. The polenta likes to slide around! Serve.

POLENTA PIZZA CASSEROLE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400°F Lightly grease an 8-inch square baking dish with cooking spray. Cut the polenta log into 9 slices.
• Arrange polenta rounds in an even layer in the bottom of the dish. Spoon marinara sauce over the top, then scatter with oregano and garlic salt. Arrange the peppers and pepperoni over the sauce, then top with the cheese and bake until hot throughout and bubbly, about 35 minutes. Serve hot.

AIR FRYER POLENTA PIZZA BITES

Steps:

• Preheat an air fryer to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
• Place polenta rounds on a cutting board and brush both sides with extra-virgin olive oil. Transfer 1/2 of the rounds to the air fryer basket.
• Air-fry for 15 minutes. Using tongs, flip rounds over, and cook for 5 minutes more. Sprinkle 1/2 of the sliced olives over the polenta and top with 1/2 of the mozzarella cheese. Cook until cheese has melted, about 2 more minutes.
• Repeat with remaining half of polenta rounds, olives, and mozzarella cheese.

CHEF JOEY'S POLENTA CRUST PIZZA

Steps:

• Preheat your oven to 450'F.
• Spray a 12 inch pizza pan with oil.
• Remove the polenta from its package and drain off the water. Cut it up in pieces and put into the food processor.
• Process the polenta. It will be crumbly. Add in the water, arrowroot flour, Italian herbs, garlic powder and 1/4 cup Romano cheese. Process again until a doughy mixture is obtained.
• Using a spatula, scoop the polenta onto the oiled pizza pan. Spray your hands with oil and pat the polenta into the pizza pan making sure you get it evenly as possible.
• Bake it in your preheated oven for 15 minutes.
• While its cooking, cut up your broccoli heads, scallion and pepper.
• When the polenta crust is done remove and top with the spaghetti sauce, tempeh, pepper, broccoli and scallions, cheeses and Italian herbs.
• Put back into the oven for 25 minutes.
• Remove when done, let stand for 5 minutes before serving.
• Bon Appetit!

WW CORE POLENTA CRUST PIZZA

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 425.
• spray two 8 or 9-inch round cake pans with nonfat cooking spray
• Line the bottoms of each pan with circles of parchment paper.
• To make polenta, put the water, cornmeal, salt, and seasonings into a large microwavable casserole dish or 1-quart measure.
• Cook at full power for 4 minutes.
• Stir well and cook again at high power for 2 more minutes.
• Stir again and cook at high power for another 2 minutes.
• Remove from the microwave, stir in the olive oil, and beat with a spoon until completely smooth.
• Spread the polenta evenly in the bottom of the two pans.
• Place the pans in the oven and bake for 12 minutes.
• While the crust is cooking, prepare your toppings.
• Sauté the vegetables lightly in a non-stick pan until onion begins to soften.
• After 12 minutes, take the crusts out of the oven and invert them onto a large baking sheet, side by side.
• They should fall right out of the pan with the parchment paper stuck to them. Peel away the parchment.
• Spread each crust with pizza sauce (don't use too much or they will be soggy) and top with veggies and vegan sausage.
• Sprinkle with chopped garlic.
• Return to the oven for about 10 minutes, until toppings look done.
• Lift off the baking sheet carefully using a large spatula and your hand--they are not sturdy like regular pizza, so be careful not to let your toppings slide off.
• Cut into fourths and serve.

POLENTA PIZZA CRUST (GLUTEN-FREE, YEAST-FREE)

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 450 degrees F.
• Lightly oil a large baking sheet.
• In a large bowl, mix polenta with the cold water.
• Add the boiling water in a slow stream, blending with a whisk.
• Add the eggs and mozzarella and mix well.
• Press mixture evenly onto greased baking sheet or pizza pan.
• Bake a few minutes to set slightly (about 5 minutes), top and bake 5-10 minutes more until lightly browned and crisp.

MINI POLENTA PIZZA BITES

Steps:

• Bring 1½ litres water to the boil and add the stock pots and ½ tsp salt. Pour in the polenta, whisking continuously, bring to the boil and reduce the heat to low, then stir every minute to keep it from sticking, for about 8 mins (or according to pack instructions).
• Meanwhile, oil a non-stick baking tray (ours was 30 x 40cm). Spoon the cooked polenta into the tray and level with a spoon to make a large, flat slab that fills the whole tray (about 1cm thick). You can use wet palms to press it down firmly after a few minutes. Leave to cool and set firm for at least 1 hr.
• Turn out the polenta onto your work surface and cut into strips. Halve the strips on the diagonal to make little wedges and put back on the tray. Heat the oven to 180C/160C fan/gas 4.
• Top each polenta base with 1 tsp pizza sauce, a little vegan cheese and a sprinkle of oregano. Add extra toppings, if you like. Drizzle with olive oil and bake for 20-25 mins. Serve warm or cold.