Polenta With Roasted Garlic Food

CREAMY PARMESAN GARLIC POLENTA

Steps:

• 1 In a medium-large pot melt the butter over medium high heat until the foam subsides. Add the garlic. Cook for a minute. Add the broth. Turn the heat to high and bring to a boil.
• 2. Slowly sprinkle in the polenta, whisking as you pour. Turn the heat to medium and cook for 20 to 25 minutes stirring frequently until the polenta is thickened and soft to taste.
• 3. Turn off heat and stir in pepper and parmesan. Serve immediately or pour into a 9x13 inch pan to set. Once cool, cut polenta into squares.

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.

"DIXIE POLENTA" (I.E., CREAMY ROASTED GARLIC GRITS)

Steps:

• In a 2- or 3-quart saucepan, heat the chicken stock over high heat until boiling. Add the salt, stir in the grits, and return to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer 30 to 40 minutes, stirring frequently until thickened.
• Stir in the roasted garlic puree, butter, and cheese until incorporated. Stir in the half-and-half and adjust the seasoning. Transfer to a double boiler and keep warm until ready to serve.
• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Toss the garlic with the bay leaves and enough olive oil to coat thoroughly. Transfer to an ovenproof pan large enough to hold the garlic in one layer and cover tightly with foil. Bake for 30 to 45 minutes, until the garlic is soft and aromatic. Cool slightly.
• Pass the cloves through the fine blade of a food mill or press them through a strainer and then transfer the puree to a container. Cool completely, cover with a thin film of olive oil, and seal the container. Refrigerate until needed.

POLENTA WITH MASCARPONE AND ROASTED GARLIC

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375°F. Toss garlic with oil in small baking dish. Cover with foil. Bake until garlic is tender, about 30 minutes. Uncover and bake until garlic is very tender, about 10 minutes linger. Cool garlic; peel. Puree garlic in processor. Set puree aside.
• Bring 5 1/2 cups chicken stock and 1 tablespoon butter to boil in large saucepan. Reduce heat to medium. Gradually whisk in yellow cornmeal. Continue to cook until mixture is creamy, whisking occasionally and adding more chicken stock 1/4 cup at a time as necessary to keep polenta soft, about 20 minutes. Remove from heat. Mix in cheese, chopped parsley and roasted garlic puree. Season polenta to taste with salt and pepper. Transfer to 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.