Caramelized Vegetable And Polenta Cake Recipes

POLENTA ROUNDS WITH CARAMELIZED VEGETABLES

Steps:

• Heat oven to 400°F. Line cookie sheet with parchment paper. Place polenta rounds on parchment-lined cookie sheet. Brush each with salad dressing. Set aside.
• Melt butter in small skillet over medium-high heat. Add onion, bell peppers, brown sugar, oregano and salt. Cook about 5 minutes or until vegetables are tender, stirring occasionally. Top each polenta round with rounded 1/2 teaspoon vegetable mixture.
• Bake at 400°F. for 10 to 15 minutes or until thoroughly heated. Immediately sprinkle each with Cheddar cheese. Remove from cookie sheet. Serve warm.

SAVORY POLENTA CAKE WITH MUSHROOMS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400°F and use about 1 tablespoon of the melted butter to grease a 9 x 3-inch round cake pan. Then line the bottom with parchment paper. Set aside.
• Add the water, sherry, thyme, sage, 1¼ teaspoon of the salt, and dried mushrooms to a small pot. Cover and bring to a boil. Once it's boiling, turn the heat off, keep the pot covered, and let the mushrooms hydrate to become soft, about 15 minutes.
• Meanwhile, in a large mixing bowl combine the cornmeal, flour, Parmesan, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and remaining ¼ teaspoon of salt.
• Once the porcini mushrooms are soft, remove the lid and add the Sherry Mushrooms to them. Set aside.
• In another mixing bowl, whisk the buttermilk with the eggs and remaining 5 tablespoons of melted butter. Make a well in the center of the dry ingredients, and pour in this wet mixture and mushrooms. Mix everything together.
• Pour the mixture into the cake pan, and use a flat-bottomed spreader to smooth the top.
• Bake in the preheated 400°F oven until the top is golden brown, about 30 minutes. Lightly cover with foil and bake for another 10 minutes. Let it cool in the pan for 15 minutes, then let cool for another 30 minutes before serving.

GRIDDLED POLENTA CAKES WITH CARAMELIZED ONIONS, GOAT CHEESE, AND

Steps:

• Bring the water, milk, and salt to a boil. Slowly whisk in the polenta. Turn heat to low, and continue whisking for 5 minutes or until polenta is smooth and creamy. Spread the polenta in a 9x9 baking dish, and set aside to cool.
• While the polenta is setting up, add the butter and olive oil to a heavy-bottomed skillet set to medium-low heat. Add the sliced onions and a sprinkle of kosher salt, and cook, stirring occasionally until soft, golden, and caramelized - about 20 to 25 minutes.
• Pour 1 tablespoon olive oil into another skillet, set over medium heat. Using a 3 inch round cookie-cutter, cut out circles of the firm polenta, and place in the heated skillet. Cook until slightly browned and crusty on one side - about 2 minutes - then flip and cook the other side another two minutes.
• To assemble the polenta cakes, place on a plate and add one tablespoon of caramelized onions to each cake. Then top each with about one teaspoon of crumbled goat cheese, drizzle with honey, and enjoy!