Sun Dried Tomato Polenta Cutlets Food

SMOKY CREAMY POLENTA WITH SUN-DRIED TOMATOES

Steps:

• In a heavy bottom pot melt butter. Add onions season with the salt and cook for 3 minutes.
• Add pepper flakes if using, sun-dried tomatoes, garlic and cook until the aroma of the garlic is released, about 1 minute.
• Add Broth bring to a boil. Add chipotle sauce.
• Whisk in corn meal adding in a thin stream so not to clump stirring all the while. When all the corn meal is added lower the flame to medium.
• Stir with a wooden spoon till it comes from the sides of the pot. About 30 minutes. Add the brie and stir till melted and blended inches Or just mix so to leave some of the cheese still present!
• Ahh, the goodness of cheese! Watch this polenta change from just polenta to yummy, creamy, comforting polenta!

SUN-DRIED TOMATO PESTO-CRUSTED CHICKEN BREAST OVER CREAMY HERB POLENTA

Steps:

• For the chicken with sun-dried tomato pesto crust:
• For the creamy polenta:
• Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
• For the pesto crust:
• Blend sun-dried tomatoes, garlic cloves and basil leaves in a food processor. Stir in Parmesan and add salt and pepper, to taste. Set aside briefly. Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Season chicken breast with pepper only. (The Parmesan in the pesto will provide salt.) Brown both sides of chicken, beginning with skin side first. Coat chicken with pesto and roast in oven for 25 to 35 minutes, or until fork tender.
• For the polenta:
• Combine chicken stock and cream in a large heavy saucepan. Heat to a gentle boil over medium heat, being careful not to burn. While whisking constantly, gradually add the cornmeal in a thin stream. Once cornmeal is incorporated, keep heat low and continue to whisk until mixture is slightly thickened and creamy. Stir in butter and Cheddar and allow cheese to melt. Season with pepper, (and salt if needed). Spoon polenta onto serving plate, top with chicken breast and garnish with chopped scallions.

BREADED POLENTA CUTLETS

Steps:

• To make herbed bread crumbs:.
• Pulverize stale or lightly toasted whole wheat, sourdough, or French bread in a food processor. Mix in mixed dried herbs. Set aside.
• Bring the salt and water to a boil. Gradually pour in the cornmeal and stir briskly with a whisk until the polenta begins to thicken. Lower the heat and simmer, stirring frquently until the polenta tastes done. The cooking time will vary with different cornmeals. Finely ground cornmeal might be done after just a few minutes of cooking, coarsely ground and stone ground may need to simmer for up to 45 minutes. Add more water, if needed, during cooking, until the cornmeal is no longer crunchy and the polenta is the consistency of thick porridge.
• Meanwhile, saute the onions, garlic, and ground fennel seeds in the olive oil on medium heat for about 7 minutes. Remove the cooked polenta from the heat. Stir in onions and the grated cheese(if using). Add salt to taste.
• Pour the hot polenta onto an oiled baking tray or 10" pie pan to about 3/4" thickness. Spread evenly with a rubber spatula. Chill for at least 30 minutes. The plenta will thicken as it cools.
• Preheat the oven to 375*F. and oil a baking sheet.
• In a large bowl, whisk the eggs until they get foamy and then whisk in the milk. Place the bread crumbs in a separate shallow bowl. With a knife, cut the cooled polenta into squares, rectangles, diamonds, or whatever shape you like. Line up in order the pan of cutlets, egg mixture, bread crumbs and the oiled baking sheet.
• Lift one cutlet at a time with a spatula and dip it inot the egg mixture. Lightly coat the cutlet and gently shake off the excess. Then dip each cutlet in the bowl of bread crumbs and coat well. Arrange the cutlets on the baking sheet about an inch apart.
• Bake for 35 minutes, until golden brown on both sides, turning once after about 20 minutes.
• Variation:.
• To fry the cutlets, heat olive oil about 1/4" deep in a skillet and fry the cutlets for 2-3 minutes on each side. Serve immediately, or keep in a wqrm oven until ready to serve.

CHEESY SUN-DRIED TOMATO AND OLIVE POLENTA WEDGES

Steps:

• Lightly grease a round sandwich (sponge)cake pan.
• Using a large saucepan, bring the stock to a boil. Add the polenta and reduce to a simmer. Stir constantly for about 10-15 minutes, or until the polenta is very thick.
• Remove from the heat and stir in the cheeses, basil, olives and tomatoes.
• Press the polenta mixture firmly into the prepared tin. Smooth over the top. Cool to room temperature and then refrigerate until firm. this will be at least 2 hours.(This stage can be done a day ahead).
• Cut polenta into 16 wedges. Dust the wedges in flour (use either regular or gluten-free/rice flour)and shallow fry in a large frying pan, until browned and crisp on both sides. Drain on absorbent paper (or use a wire rack) before serving.
• Variation- use a larger tin - that will produce a flatter polenta cake. Cut into squares or wedges. Spray with a cooking oil spray and grill, BBQ or use a health grill.
• Should have 8 serves.

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.

SUN-DRIED TOMATO POLENTA CAKE

Steps:

• Combine water, cornmeal and salt in heavy saucepan. Cook on low heat 30 min. or until mixture thickens and pulls away from side of pan, stirring frequently. Add Parmesan cheese, tomatoes and 1/4 cup butter; mix well. Spoon into greased 13x9-inch baking pan; smooth top. Cool to room temperature. Cover. Refrigerate at least 2 hours or up to 3 days until firm.
• Cook and stir peppers and onions in 1 Tbsp. of the oil in large skillet on medium heat until tender. Stir in fennel; set aside.
• Cut polenta into 12 squares. Melt remaining 1 Tbsp. oil and 1 Tbsp. butter in large skillet. Add polenta squares; cook until bottoms of squares are lightly browned; turn over. Top each with 1 cheese slice; cover. Continue cooking until bottoms are lightly browned and cheese is melted. Serve topped with the pepper mixture.

SUN-DRIED TOMATO POLENTA CUTLETS

Steps:

• Cover the sun dried tomatoes with the boiling water in a non-reactive heatproof bowl and set aside.
• In a small saucepan, warm the olive oil and saute the onions, 1/3 of the garlic, and 1/4 teaspoons salt for about 5 minutes, until the onions soften.
• Add 1/3 cup of the basil and the mushrooms, cover, and cook on low heat, stirring occasionally, until the mushrooms release their juices, about 10 minutes.
• Drain and mince the sun dried tomatoes, add them to the mushroom mixture, and set aside.
• In a medium saucepan, bring 3 cups water, 3/4 teaspoons salt, and another 1/3 of the garlic to a boil.
• Whisk in the cornmeal in a slow, steady stream, stirring rapidly to prevent lumps.
• Lower the heat and cook, uncovered, gently, for about 10 minutes, stirring often, until the polenta is quite thick.
• Add the mushroom mixture to the polenta and mix well.
• Prepare an 8x12 inch glass or porcelain baking dish with a light coating of cooking spray.
• Spread the polenta mixture evenly in the baking dish and chill in the freezer for 1/2 hour or in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour.
• When the polenta mixture has chilled enough to hold its shape when cut, it will be very easy to handle.
• While the polenta is chilling, combine the bread crumbs, Parmesan, the parsley, and the remaining garlic and basil in a food processor or blender and whirl together until well mixed.
• Pour out into a large deep platter.
• In a separate large shallow bowl, lightly beat the egg whites and remainging 1/4 teaspoon salt until slightly frothy.
• Preheat the oven to 400*F.
• Cut the chilled polenta in half lengthwise, in thirds crosswise, and then cut each rectangular sixth in half on the diagonal.
• This mathmatical wizardry makes 12 triangular cutlets (they say trust us).
• Using a spatula, remove each triangle from the baking dish, dip it in the egg whites, and then thoroughly coat it with the bread crumb mixture.
• Place the breaded cutlets on a large very lightly oiled or sprayed baking tray and bake for 20 minutes.
• With a metal spatula, carefully turn each cutlet over and bake for 10 minutes more, until golden brown.
• Enjoy!
• Note:.
• You may top each serving of cutlets with a tomato-wine sauce, savory onion marmalade, pesto, or sauce of your choice.

SAVORY ONION MARMALADE

Steps:

• In a well seasoned cast iron or nonstick skillet, combine the onions, 1 tbls.
• of the water, the garlic, salt, pepper, thyme, and vinegar and/or red wine, if using.
• Cover and cook on medium low heat for 30 to 45 minutes, stirring often and adding water as needed, until the onions are dark brown, sweet, and richly flavored.
• Chill well before serving.
• Enjoy!