Polenta Triangles Food

POLENTA TRIANGLES

Steps:

• Coat a 15 1/2 x 10 1/2-in. rimmed baking pan with nonstick spray.
• Heat milk, water, salt and pepper in a large saucepan over medium-high heat until simmering. Whisk in cornmeal and cook, whisking constantly, 3 minutes or until thick and smooth.
• Remove from heat; stir in cheeses and herbs. Immediately pour into baking pan, spreading evenly. Cool, cover and refrigerate 30 minutes or until firm.
• Heat broiler. Cut polenta lengthwise into 4 rows, crosswise into 6 rows. Cut each rectangle into 2 triangles. Broil 3 in. from heat source for 5 to 6 minutes until polenta is browned.

POLENTA TRIANGLES WITH ROSEMARY AND WALNUTS

Steps:

• Butter 9-inch-diameter glass pie dish. Bring broth to boil in heavy medium saucepan. Gradually whisk in corn meal. Reduce heat to medium and whisk constantly until mixture thickens, about 6 minutes. Remove from heat. Add cheese and 1 1/2 tablespoons butter; stir until cheese melts. Stir in chopped walnuts and rosemary. Season with salt and pepper. Transfer polenta to prepared dish; using buttered knife, spread evenly. Cool until polenta is firm, at least 1 hour.
• Line baking sheet with foil. Cut polenta into 8 wedges. Transfer wedges, bottom side up, to prepared sheet. Dot wedges with 1 1/2 tablespoons butter. Place 1 walnut half in center of each wedge. (Can be made 1 day ahead. Cover and chill.)
• Preheat oven to 350?F. Bake polenta until heated through, about 12 minutes.

CHICKEN WITH TOMATO SAUCE AND POLENTA TRIANGLES

Steps:

• Skin the chicken pieces, reserving the wing tips and the skin for stock.
• Heat two tablespoons of the oil in a heavy casserole and brown the chicken pieces a few at a time. Remove them with a slotted spoon and place them in a bowl.
• Add the remaining tablespoon of olive oil to the skillet. Saute the onion, garlic and chilies until they become soft (about 10 minutes).
• Stir in the cayenne and cumin. Cook a minute, then add the tomatoes, chicken stock, salt and pepper along with the chicken pieces and their juices. Cover and simmer gently about 45 minutes, stirring from time to time, until the chicken is cooked and the sauce thickens. If sauce evaporates too fast, add a little water. Correct the seasoning and when ready to serve, sprinkle with coriander.
• While the chicken is cooking, make the polenta triangles. Preheat broiler. Cook the polenta in water according to directions on package (it will take about five minutes), adding salt to taste, and pour it out onto a flat surface (a large, flat baking tin will do). Smooth it out with a spoon and cool it. Cut the polenta into triangles and place them on a broiling sheet.
• Brush the polenta triangles with the olive oil and broil until the outside is browned and crisp but the inside soft and creamy (about 15 to 20 minutes). Do not turn over. Serve with the chicken, in a separate dish.

ROSEMARY POLENTA

Steps:

• Heat the butter and olive oil in a large saucepan. Add the garlic, red pepper flakes, rosemary, salt, and pepper and saute for 1 minute. Add the chicken stock, half-and-half, and milk and bring to a boil. Remove from the heat and slowly sprinkle the cornmeal into the hot milk while stirring constantly with a whisk. Cook over low heat, stirring constantly, for a few minutes, until thickened and bubbly. Off the heat, stir in the Parmesan. Pour into a 9 by 13 by 2-inch pan, smooth the top, and refrigerate until firm and cold.
• Cut the chilled polenta into 12 squares, as you would with brownies. Lift each one out with a spatula and cut diagonally into triangles. Dust each triangle lightly in flour. Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil and 1 tablespoon butter in a large saute pan and cook the triangles in batches over medium heat for 3 to 5 minutes, turning once, until browned on the outside and heated inside. Add more butter and oil, as needed. Serve immediately.

BAREFOOT CONTESSA'S ROSEMARY POLENTA

Steps:

• Heat the butter and olive oil in a large saucepan.
• Add the garlic, red pepper flakes, rosemary, salt, and pepper and sauté for 1 minute.
• Add the chicken stock, half-and-half, and milk and bring to a boil.
• Remove from the heat and slowly sprinkle the cornmeal into the hot milk while stirring constantly with a whisk.
• Cook over low heat, stirring constantly, for a few minutes, until thickened and bubbly.
• Off the heat, stir in the Parmesan.
• Pour into a 9 X 13 X 2-inch pan, smooth the top, and refrigerate until firm and cold.
• Cut the chilled polenta into 12 squares, as you would with brownies.
• Lift each one out with a spatula and cut diagonally into triangles.
• Dust each triangle lightly in flour.
• Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil and 1 tablespoon butter in a large sauté pan and cook the triangles in batches over medium heat for 3 to 5 minutes, turning once, until browned on the outside and heated inside.
• Add more butter and oil, as needed.
• Serve immediately.
• **Cook time does not include refrigeration time.

POLENTA TRIANGLES

Steps:

• Bring stock or water, milk, and herbs, if using, to a boil in a small, deep saucepan over medium heat. Lower heat, and slowly sprinkle in cornmeal, stirring constantly. Cook, stirring constantly, for 20 minutes over low heat. If polenta becomes too thick, add as much as 1 more cup of boiling liquid. Polenta should resemble a thick porridge. Add salt to taste. Stir in butter.
• Pour polenta onto a 9-by-13-by-1/2-inch baking sheet, and smooth out. Cover with plastic, and refrigerate until firm or overnight.
• Cut polenta into 8 triangles, and saute in butter in a nonstick skillet, or grill until heated and brown on both sides.

POLENTA TRIANGLES

Steps:

• Melt the butter in a medium saute pan over medium heat; add onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until translucent, about 5 minutes.
• Add the wine and water; increase the heat to high and bring to a boil; gradually add the cornmeal, whisking constantly to prevent lumps.
• Reduce the heat to low and cook, continuing to stir constantly, until the mixture is a smooth creamy paste, about 10 minutes.
• Stir in the Parmesan cheese, salt,and pepper; evenly spread the mixture in a lightly oiled 9-inch pie plate; Refrigerate until firm, at least 2 hours,(when polenta is cool, cover with plastic wrap.).
• When ready to serve, lightly brush the surface of the polenta with olive oil, halve the polenta and cut each halve into 3 triangles.
• Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat; arrange the triangles in a single layer; lightly brush tops with olive oil, cook until lightly browned, about 2 minutes per side.
• Note: If you prefer, the triangles can be cooked on a stove-top grill pan over medium heat or can be broiled on a baking sheet under the oven broiler; the time remains about 2 minutes per side.

PARMESAN POLENTA FOR GRILLING

Steps:

• Bring stock or water (pinch of salt if using water) to boiling in a 2 quart sauce pan. Add rosemary if using. Slowly whisk in the cornmeal to the boiling stock / water, whisking constantly. Cook and whisk until mixture returns to boiling. Reduce heat to very low. Cover and simmer for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add Parmesan cheese and olive oil / butter.
• Pour into a greased 8x4x2-inch loaf pan. Cool 1 hour. Cover and chill several hours or over night. Polenta may be kept in the refrigerator for up to 3 days before serving. To serve, remove polenta from pan and cut into 1/2-inch-thick slices.
• **To bake, place slices in a single layer on a greased baking sheet. Bake, covered, in a 400 degree F oven for 10 to 12 minutes or until heated through.
• **To fry, heat 2 teaspoons olive oil in a large nonstick skillet or on a griddle over medium heat. Add polenta slices and cook about 6 minutes or until golden brown, turning once during cooking time.
• **To toast, lightly brush slices with olive oil and arrange on a lightly oiled baking sheet. Place under broiler, 4 to 5 inches away from the heat source, for 4 to 5 minutes per side or until golden brown and crisp.

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.

CHEDDAR-POLENTA TRIANGLES

Steps:

• Line 13x9-inch pan with parchment paper, with ends of paper extending over sides; spray with cooking spray. Bring broth to simmer in medium saucepan. Gradually stir in polenta; cook 5 min. or until mixture thickens and pulls away from side of pan, stirring frequently. Stir in Parmesan; spoon into prepared pan. Smooth top. Cool to room temperature. Refrigerate 30 min. or until firm.
• Heat broiler. Remove polenta from pan. Cut into 8 pieces; cut each piece diagonally in half. Place on parchment paper-covered baking sheet; top with cheddar.
• Broil 3 to 5 min. or until Cheddar is melted and polenta is heated through. Sprinkle with paprika.

POLENTA TRIANGLES FOR PANCETTA-WRAPPED PORK ROAST

Steps:

• Bring water to a boil in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Add salt. Whisking constantly, add polenta in a slow steady stream. Continue to whisk until all of the lumps have disappeared. Reduce the heat to low, cover, and gently simmer for 5 minutes.
• Stir in butter and pepper. Pour polenta into an 8-by-8-inch baking dish. Let cool on a rack until firm, about 30 minutes.
• Using an offset spatula, gently pull the polenta away from the sides of the dish, and invert onto a clean work surface. Trim the edges of the polenta, and cut into quarters. Cut each quarter in half, forming triangles.
• In a large nonstick skillet, heat oil over medium-high heat. Add polenta triangles, and cook until browned, about 5 minutes per side. You may keep the triangles warm in a 200 degrees oven for up to 30 minutes.

POLENTA TRIANGLES

Steps:

• Oil large baking sheet. Bring 2 cups water and salt to boil in heavy medium saucepan. Gradually whisk in cornmeal. Reduce heat to medium. Stir constantly with wooden spoon until mixture is very thick, about 6 minutes.
• Divide hot polenta into 2 equal mounds on prepared baking sheet. Using back of spoon, flatten each mound into 6-inch circle, about 1/2 inch thick. Let stand until cool. (Can be prepared 1 day ahead. Cover with plastic and refrigerate.)
• Cut each polenta circle into 6 wedges. Heat 1 tablespoon oil in large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Working in batches, add polenta to skillet; cook until slightly crisp at edges and heated through, adding more oil to skillet as necessary, about 3 minutes per side. Serve warm.

POLENTA TRIANGLES WITH ROASTED RED BELL PEPPER SAUCE

Steps:

• RED PEPPER SAUCE:.
• Roast the red and poblano peppers whole over a gas flame, a charcoal flame or under a broiler, turning 1/4 rotation every few minutes, until entirely blackened.
• Immediately place in a paper bag, seal, and let sit for 3 minutes.
• Peel off the charred skin and discard.
• Slice the peeled peppers open and discard the membranes and seeds.
• Thinly slice two of the red peppers and set aside.
• In a saute pan over medium heat, heat the butter and olive oil and add the shallots.
• Cook for about 6 minutes, stirring frequently, or until the shallots just begin to show signs of browning.
• Add the stock, 2 roasted bell peppers, poblano chili, and thyme. Bring to a boil, then immediately reduce heat to medium-low and simmer for 15 minutes. (Adjust heat as required to simmer.).
• Remove from heat and let cool.
• In a food processor or blender (I use my kitchen 'motorboat'), add pan contents along with the lemon juice, salt, and pepper.
• Blend until smooth.
• Return to sauce pan and add remaining thinly sliced red pepper.
• Set aside.
• POLENTA:.
• In a large pot over medium-high heat, bring stock to a boil.
• Slowly pour in polenta, stirring constantly with a whisk as you add it.
• Reduce heat to moderately low and cook, stirring constantly, until polenta is smooth.
• Reduce to low heat, cover and cook until polenta is smooth, and no longer gritty on the tongue, about 30 minutes. Just before finishing, stir in Parmigiano-Reggiano and thyme.
• Pour creamy polenta into lightly oiled round cake or pie pan using a rubber spatula to smooth the surface.
• Refrigerate polenta until completely cold and firm.
• Cut polenta into wedges and remove from pan with a spatula.
• To Bake:.
• Bake at 450 degrees for until lightly browned, approximately 10-12 minutes.
• Pan Fried:.
• Add enough olive oil to completely coat the bottom of a large, heavy skillet and heat to medium.
• Add as many polenta triangles as you can without crowding the pan and cook for 2-3 minutes on each side or until golden. Sprinkle lightly with grated parmigiano-reggiano cheese.
• To Serve:.
• Just before serving, re-heat sauce in a saucepan and stir in cream.
• Ladle 1/2 cup of roasted red bell pepper sauce over each wedge. Top with Parmigiano-Reggiano and serve immediately.

CHICKEN AND VEGETABLE SAUTé OVER HERBED POLENTA TRIANGLES

Steps:

• Boil broth in small saucepan until reduced to 1 cup, about 12 minutes. Remove from heat. Combine fennel seeds and crushed red pepper in small bowl. Heat 2 tablespoons oil in heavy large skillet over medium-high heat. Add onion and bell pepper and sauté until golden and almost tender, about 4 minutes. Add squash and sauté until barely tender, about 2 minutes. Stir in half of fennel seed mixture. Season with salt and pepper. Transfer to large bowl.
• Place 3 tablespoons flour in medium bowl. Add chicken and toss to coat with flour; shake off excess. Heat 3 tablespoons oil in same skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken; stir just until cooked through, about 3 minutes. Stir in remaining fennel seed mixture. Return vegetables to skillet. (Can be made 4 hours ahead. Cover and chill.) Toss chicken and vegetables over medium-high heat until heated through. Season with salt and pepper. Mix in 1/4 cup basil.
• Mix vinegar and brown sugar in small skillet. Mix butter with remaining 1 tablespoon flour in small bowl. Bring vinegar mixture to boil. Add reduced broth and bring to boil. Whisk in butter mixture. Boil until sauce thickens slightly, whisking constantly, about 1 minute. Season sauce with salt and pepper.
• Arrange 2 polenta triangles on each of 4 plates. Spoon chicken mixture over polenta. Drizzle each with sauce. Garnish with remaining 1/4 cup basil and serve.

SUN-DRIED TOMATO TAPENADE ON POLENTA TRIANGLES

Steps:

• For Tapenade:
• Combine all ingredients in processor. Using on/of turns, process until finely chopped. Transfer to small bowl. Season with salt and pepper.
• For Polenta:
• Combine whipping cream, water and salt in heavy medium saucepan. Bring to boil. Gradually whisk in cornmeal. Reduce heat to medium-low and stir until polenta is thick, about 10 minutes. Mix in hot sauce. Season with pepper. Pour into 8-inch square glass baking dish. Chill until cold, about 1 hour. (Tapenade and polenta can be made 1 day ahead. Cover separately and chill.)
• Cut polenta into 12 squares. Cut each square in half diagonally, forming 24 triangles. Heat 2 tablespoons oil in heavy large nonstick skillet over high heat. Working in batches, add polenta triangles and sauté until golden, adding remaining 2 tablespoons oil as necessary, about 2 minutes per side for each batch. Transfer polenta to paper towels; drain.
• Divide tapenade among triangles. Arrange on platter. Garnish with parsley. Serve at room temperature.

SAUTEED POLENTA TRIANGLES

Steps:

• Melt butter and oil in a small saute pan over low heat. Place garlic and rosemary in pan and saute until garlic turns golden. Remove garlic and rosemary. Saute polenta until browned on both sides.

HERBED POLENTA TRIANGLES

Steps:

• Spray 8x8x2-inch square glass baking dish with vegetable oil spray. Bring broth and butter to boil in heavy medium saucepan. Gradually add cornmeal, whisking constantly. Whisk until mixture is very thick and starts pulling away from pan, about 6 minutes. Remove from heat. Stir in parsley and basil. Immediately transfer polenta to baking dish, spreading evenly. Cool 5 minutes, then cut polenta into 8 triangles; leave in baking dish. (Can be made 1 day ahead. Cover; chill. Rewarm in microwave oven on high, about 2 minutes.)