Polenta With Garlicky Greens Food

GREENS WITH POLENTA CROUTONS

Steps:

• For the polenta: Coat a 9- by 13-inch baking dish with a thin coat of olive oil.
• Combine 4 cups water and 2 teaspoons salt in a medium saucepan and bring to a boil over high heat. Slowly add the polenta, whisking constantly. Reduce the heat to low, bringing the polenta to a simmer, and cook, stirring occasionally, until thick, 5 to 8 minutes. Turn off the heat and stir in the butter, cheese and rosemary. Pour the polenta into the prepared dish and cool completely until firm.
• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a nonstick silicone liner.
• Unmold the polenta, cut into 1-inch squares and place on the prepared baking sheet. Bake until crisp and golden, about 1 hour.
• For the salad: Meanwhile, whisk together the vinegar and Dijon in a small bowl along with some salt and pepper. Add the oil in a thin stream, whisking constantly. Toss the greens with the dressing in a large salad bowl. Add the tomatoes, cranberries, and Roquefort and toss again. Arrange the salad on a large serving platter or individual plates. Top with half the croutons and serve immediately. Reserve the remaining croutons for another use in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to two days.

POLENTA WITH GARLICKY GREENS-

Steps:

• Cut off and discard bottom 3 inches of Swiss-chard stems.
• Cut remaining stems into 1/2-inch slices; coarsely chop leaves.
• Rinse and dry stems and leaves separately; place in separate bowls.
• In nonstick 12-inch skillet, heat oil, garlic, and crushed red pepper over medium heat about 2 minutes or until garlic is lightly golden, stirring constantly.
• Increase heat to medium-high; add sliced chard stems to skillet and cook 8 minutes, stirring occasionally.
• Gradually add chard leaves and 1/2 teaspoons.
• salt, stirring until leaves wilt; stir in 1/3 cup water.
• Cover skillet and simmer 5 minutes or until stems and leaves are tender; stir in raisins and set aside.
• Meanwhile, prepare polenta in microwave oven: In 4-quart microwave-safe bowl or casserole, combine cornmeal, 3/4 teaspoons salt, milk, and 4 1/2 ups water.
• Cover and cook on High 12 to 15 minutes, until thickened, stirring once.
• To serve, stir Parmesan into polenta.
• Spoon polenta on a platter; top with Swiss-chard mixture and sprinkle with pine nuts.
• Serve with additional Parmesan to sprinkle over each serving if you like.
• Makes 4 main dish servings.
• Note: If you like, polenta can be prepared on top of stove: In 4-quart saucepan, stir 1 teaspoons salt with 2 cups cold milk.
• Gradually whisk in cornmeal until blended,then whisk in 4 1/2 cups boiling water.
• Heat to boiling over high heat, stirring occasionally.
• Reduce heat to medium-low and cook, partially covered, 20 minutes, stirring frequently.

GARLICKY POLENTA

Steps:

• Heat the butter in a medium saucepan over medium-low heat until melted, then add the garlic and cook, stirring frequently, until fragrant and lightly golden, about 1 minute. Add the chicken broth and increase the heat to medium-high. Bring to a boil, then turn the heat down to low and add the polenta, whisking. Cook, stirring regularly, until thick and creamy, about 10 minutes. Add the Parmesan, heavy cream, chives and pepper and stir to combine. Add salt to taste and serve immediately.

WHITE CHEDDAR POLENTA WITH SAUTEED GREENS AND GARLIC-ROASTED PORTOBELLOS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400°F. Oil 11x7x2-inch glass baking dish. Remove stems from mushrooms and chop finely; place in prepared baking dish. Using small spoon, scrape away dark gills from underside of mushrooms and discard. Cut each mushroom cap into 8 wedges; add to baking dish with chopped mushroom stems. Drizzle with 1 1/2 tablespoons oil. Sprinkle with 1 minced garlic clove, parsley, salt and pepper and toss to coat. Bake until tender, 25 minutes.
• Meanwhile, combine 4 cups water and 1 1/2 teaspoons salt in large saucepan. Bring to boil. Gradually whisk in polenta. Reduce heat to low. Cook until polenta thickens and begins to pull away from sides of pan, whisking often, about 25 minutes for polenta or 15 minutes for yellow cornmeal. Whisk in butter, then cheese. Season with salt and pepper. Heat 2 tablespoons oil in large pot over medium-high heat. Add 2 minced garlic cloves and sauté 30 seconds. Add Swiss chard and spinach and sauté until tender but still bright green, about 4 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.
• Spoon polenta onto plates. Top with greens and portobello mushrooms.

CREAMY POLENTA WITH MIXED GREENS

Steps:

• Combine tomatoes and boiling water.
• Let stand 30 minutes, drain and chop.
• Combine cornmeal and pinch of black pepper in saucepan.
• Gradually add 3 cups broth and 1 cup water, stirring continually with a whisk.
• Bring to a boil, reduce heat to medium and cook for 20 minutes, stirring frequently.
• Remove polenta from heat and keep warm.
• Heat a large skillet over medium high heat, add 1 tablespoon olive oil and saute onion and red pepper for about 10 minutes or until tender.
• Add tomatoes and garlic, cooking for 1 more minute.
• Add 1 cup broth and the greens.
• Cover and reduce heat to low, cooking 15 minutes or until greens are completely tender.
• Season with salt and pepper.
• Spoon polenta into 4 plates and top with greens.
• Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese.
• Since I like things spicy, I add some crushed red pepper to this recipe, or just shake on your favorite hot sauce.
• For Vegetarian use the vegetable broth only.

BEANS AND GREENS POLENTA BAKE

Steps:

• Pour warm polenta into a large ovenproof skillet or a ceramic baking dish or metal baking pan and spread into an even layer (ideally about 1" thick). Let cool, then cover and chill at least 1 hour and up to 1 week.
• Preheat oven to 500°F. Heat garlic and ¼ cup oil in a large skillet over medium, stirring occasionally, until garlic is fragrant and starting to brown, about 3 minutes. Add beans and red pepper flakes (if using), then, working in batches, add kale, letting it wilt slightly after each addition before adding more, and cook, stirring occasionally, until tender and evenly darkened in color, about 3 minutes. Stir in vinegar and salt and cook, still stirring occasionally, until liquid evaporates, about 2 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in ¼ cup Parmesan.
• Scrape kale mixture over prepared polenta and spread into an even layer. Drizzle with more oil and sprinkle with more Parmesan.
• Transfer skillet to oven and bake until polenta is warmed through and topping is lightly crisped and browned, 8-10 minutes.