Garlicky Polenta Recipes

HOW TO MAKE PERFECT POLENTA

Steps:

• Bring water and salt to a boil in a large saucepan; pour polenta slowly into boiling water, whisking constantly until all polenta is stirred in and there are no lumps.
• Reduce heat to low and simmer, whisking often, until polenta starts to thicken, about 5 minutes. Polenta mixture should still be slightly loose. Cover and cook for 30 minutes, whisking every 5 to 6 minutes. When polenta is too thick to whisk, stir with a wooden spoon. Polenta is done when texture is creamy and the individual grains are tender.
• Turn off heat and gently stir 2 tablespoons butter into polenta until butter partially melts; mix 1/2 cup Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese into polenta until cheese has melted. Cover and let stand 5 minutes to thicken; stir and taste for salt before transferring to a serving bowl. Top polenta with remaining 1 tablespoon butter and about 1 tablespoon freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese for garnish.

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.

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.

ROASTED GARLIC POLENTA

Steps:

• In a heavy bottom pot, bring 5 cups of water and sea salt to a boil. Mix together the remaining 3 1/2 cups of water and corn grits in a bowl. When the pot of water comes to a boil, add the cornmeal mixture and stir quickly and continuously until the entire mixture is well blended. Add the roasted garlic paste. Reduce the heat so that the polenta is at a low simmer, stirring frequently. Continue to do so until the polenta pulls away from the pot (about 35 minutes). Pour the polenta into a baking sheet to cool. Cut into desired shape (squares for the Napoleon) and pan fry in olive oil until golden in color.
• To build the Polenta Napoleon:
• Place a bed of smoky greens on the plate and top with a polenta square. Top the square with a ladle of rosemary-scented white beans. Top the beans with another polenta square. Decorate the plate with roasted carrot sauce.

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.

BAKED POLENTA WITH GARLIC

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375°F. Butter 2-quart soufflé dish. Bring first 6 ingredients to boil in heavy large saucepan. Gradually add cornmeal, whisking until smooth. Reduce heat to low; cook until cornmeal is very soft and mixture is thick and creamy, stirring occasionally, about 12 minutes. Remove from heat; stir in 6 tablespoons Parmesan cheese. Season with pepper.
• Transfer to prepared dish. Sprinkle 2 tablespoons Parmesan over polenta. (Can be made 1 day ahead. Cool. Cover and chill.)
• Bake polenta until heated through and golden on top, about 30 minutes.