Crisp Polenta Rounds With Pesto And Pine Nuts Recipes

PAN SEARED SCALLOP POLENTA ROUNDS WITH A SUN-DRIED TOMATO ARTICHOKE PESTO

Steps:

• Using a blender, combine all of the pesto ingredients and blend until roughly chopped, but do not pureed.
• Slice the polenta into 1/4-inch thick slices. Using a circular cutter, cut out 16 rounds.
• Coat a nonstick pan with olive oil and put over medium-low heat. Add the polenta rounds and sear them until crispy.
• Heat another nonstick pan, coated with olive oil over medium heat and add the scallops. Sear them on each side until they have a nice brown caramelization. Season with salt and pepper, to taste. Arrange the polenta rounds on a platter and top each with a scallop. Garnish with pesto and serve.

CREAMY POLENTA WITH RAISINS AND PINE NUTS

Steps:

• In a large pot, bring the chicken broth and salt to a boil over medium heat. Gradually whisk in the cornmeal in a slow steady stream. The liquid will be absorbed and the cornmeal will lock up; don't freak, just whisk through it. Lower the heat and continue to whisk until the polenta is thick and smooth, about 20 minutes.
• Add the cream and 2 tablespoons of the butter; continue to stir until incorporated and creamy, about 5 minutes; season with salt and pepper. Remove the polenta from the heat and pour it into a small baking dish.
• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
• Place a small skillet over medium heat and add the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter. Swirl the pan over the heat and cook the butter until golden and nutty, about 1 minute. Add the raisins and pine nuts, tossing to coat in the brown butter. Pour the raisins and pine nuts over the top of the polenta and sprinkle with the Parmesan. Bake for 25 minutes and serve.

CRISP POLENTA ROUNDS WITH PESTO AND PINE NUTS RECIPE

Steps:

• For Polenta: Lightly oil a 13x9-inch baking pan. Bring first 4 ingredients to simmer in heavy large saucepan over medium heat; simmer 5 minutes. Using slotted spoon, remove herbs and garlic. Whisk in cornmeal in slow steady stream; return to boil. Reduce heat to low. Simmer until polenta is very thick, whisking often, about 10 minutes. Turn polenta out into prepared pan; spread to ½-inch-thick layer (polenta will not fill pan). Cool completely. Do Ahead. Can be made 2 days ahead. Cover and chill. For Pesto: Blanch basil in small saucepan of boiling salted water 5 seconds. Drain, rinse, and squeeze dry. Place basil in mini processor. Add ¼ cup pine nuts and cheese. Blend to coarse puree. With machine running, add ½ cup oil. Blend until pesto is almost smooth. Season with salt and pepper. Do Ahead. Can be made 1 day ahead. Cover and chill. Using 1 1/2- inch round or scalloped cutter cut out 24 polenta rounds. Pour enough oil into heavy large nonstick skillet to coast bottom; heat over medium high heat. Sauté polenta rounds until beginning to brown, about 1 minute per side; transfer to small baking sheet. Do Ahead. Can be made 4 hours ahead. Let stand at room temperature. Rewarm in 375 degree oven 5 minutes before serving. Arrange polenta rounds on platter. Top with pesto; sprinkle with pine nuts

CRISPY POLENTA

Steps:

• Brush a small rimmed baking sheet with olive oil; set aside. In a large pot, bring 6 cups water to a boil over high heat; season with salt. Slowly whisk in polenta, and cook, partially covered, and stirring every 4 to 5 minutes, over medium-low heat until it begins to thicken, 30 to 35 minutes. Remove from heat.
• Carefully pour polenta onto prepared baking sheet, spreading it out to an even thickness. Let cool, and tear into 1-inch pieces; lightly dust with flour.
• Line a baking sheet with paper towels; set aside. Meanwhile, heat sunflower oil in a large heavy-bottomed pot until it registers 350 degrees on a deep-fry thermometer. Using a slotted spoon, carefully add polenta in batches while maintaining the temperature of the oil. Cook until crispy, about 4 minutes. Transfer to prepared baking sheet to drain. Serve immediately seasoned with sea salt.

LEMONY POLENTA WITH ROASTED CAULIFLOWER, PINE NUTS, RAISINS & CAPERS

Steps:

• Heat the oven to 220C/200C fan/gas 7. Tip the cauliflower, garlic and oil into a large roasting tin, mix well, then transfer to the oven to roast for 25 mins, tossing halfway through with some seasoning.
• Meanwhile, make the dressing by whisking together the parsley, lemon juice, oil and 1 tsp salt in a small bowl, add the raisins and set aside. Add the pine nuts and capers to the cauliflower to toast for the final 5 mins of cooking time.
• Once the cauliflower is cooked, stir through the dressing. Set aside.
• For the lemony polenta, bring the stock up to the boil in a large saucepan, add the polenta and stir for 4 mins until thickened. Add the ricotta and lemon zest and a little of the parsley, then taste and adjust the salt as needed.
• Divide the lemony polenta between four warmed bowls, then top with the dressed cauliflower. Scatter over the remaining parsley, and serve straightaway.

POLENTA AND PINE NUTS

Steps:

• In a heavy 2 quart sauce pan, melt butter over low heat.
• Add water, turn up heat, and bring to a boil.
• Slowly add cornmeal while whisking constantly.
• Lower heat slightly and continue to boil and stir until polenta becomes thick and pulls away from sides of pan. (about 30 minutes).
• Remove from heat and add parmesan cheese and pine nuts.
• Cool slightly (until able to handle).
• Grease cookie pan with half of the oil and spread evenly in pan.
• Rub top with remaining oil.
• Chill.
• If grilling, cut into squares (3 to 4 inches).
• Grill on hot grill until crisp on outside and soft and creamy on inside -- or.
• If baking, sprinkle with a little more cheese, and bake at 400 degrees for 15 minutes, then cut into squares.

PESTO POLENTA LASAGNA

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Oil an 11x7x2 inch baking dish.
• Arrange a single layer of polenta in the bottom of the prepared baking dish. Spread a thin layer of pesto over the polenta. Spoon half of the sauce over the polenta. Top with another layer of polenta and sauce.
• Bake, uncovered, for 25 minutes. Turn on the broiler. Top polenta with cheese and pine nuts, and broil until cheese browns and nuts are toasted.

CRISPY SEASONED POLENTA SQUARES

Steps:

• In a large heavy saucepan, bring the water, tomatoes, salt, onion and garlic to a boil. Reduce heat to a gentle boil; slowly whisk in cornmeal. Cook and stir with a wooden spoon for 15-20 minutes or until polenta is thickened and pulls away cleanly from the sides of the pan. Stir in cheese and oregano. Spread into a 9-in. square baking pan coated with cooking spray. Cool to room temperature, about 30 minutes., Cut polenta into nine squares. In a shallow bowl, whisk egg and milk. In another shallow bowl, combine bread crumbs and cilantro. Dip polenta in the egg mixture, then bread crumb mixture. , In a large nonstick skillet coated with cooking spray, cook polenta in oil in batches for 1-2 minutes on each side or until golden brown. Serve with sour cream.

PESTO POLENTA LASAGNA--SUPER EASY!

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
• Oil an 11x7x2 inch baking dish.
• Arrange a single layer of polenta in the bottom of the prepared baking dish.
• Spread a thin layer of pesto over the polenta.
• Spoon half of the sauce over the polenta.
• Top with another layer of polenta and sauce.
• Bake, uncovered, for 25 minutes.
• Turn on the broiler.
• Top polenta with cheese and pine nuts, and broil until cheese browns and nuts are toasted.

CRISP POLENTA ROUNDS WITH PESTO AND PINE NUTS

Steps:

• FOR POLENTA: Lightly oil 13x9-inch baking pan. Bring first 4 ingredients to simmer in heavy large saucepan over medium heat; simmer 5 minutes. Using slotted spoon, remove herbs and garlic. Whisk in cornmeal in slow steady stream; return to boil. Reduce heat to low. Simmer until polenta is very thick, whisking often, about 10 minutes. Turn polenta out into prepared pan; spread to ½-inch-thick layer (polenta will not fill pan). Cool completely. DO AHEAD: Can be made 2 days ahead. Cover and chill. FOR PESTO: Blanch basil in small saucepan of boiling salted water 5 seconds. Drain, rinse, and squeeze dry. Place basil in mini processor. Add ¼ cup pine nuts and cheese. Blend to coarse puree. With machine running, add ½ cup oil. Blend until pesto is almost smooth. Season with salt and pepper. DO AHEAD: Can be made 1 day ahead. Cover; chill. Using 1½-inch round or scalloped cutter, cut out 24 polenta rounds. Pour enough oil into heavy large nonstick skillet to coat bottom; heat over medium-high heat. Sauté polenta rounds until beginning to brown, about 1 minute per side; transfer to small baking sheet. DO AHEAD: Can be made 4 hours ahead. Let stand at room temperature. Rewarm in 375°F oven 5 minutes before serving. Arrange polenta rounds on platter. Top with pesto; sprinkle with pine nuts.