Grilled Polenta Crackers With Roasted Pepper Salsa Recipes

POLENTA AND GRILLED VEGETABLES WITH ROASTED RED PEPPER SAUCE

Steps:

• Bring 3 cups water to a boil in a medium-sized heavy saucepan. Add polenta, whisking quickly to combine. Reduce heat to a medium-low and simmer, stirring frequently, until thick- about 3-5 minutes. Whisk in 1/3 cup Parmesan and season with the cayenne pepper and salt. Coat a 9" pie plate with cooking spray and pour the polenta into the prepared pie plate and smooth out the surface and let sit for 15 minutes.
• Meanwhile, heat grill (or broiler). Whisk together garlic, thyme, lemon juice, and oil in a bowl. Season with salt and pepper. Toss vegetables with the dressing. Coat a grill basket (or cooking tray) with cooking spray and arrange vegetables. Grill vegetables until tender and slightly charred- about 3-5 minutes on each side. Transfer to a platter.
• Combine all sauce ingredients in a blender or food processor and blend until smooth.
• Heat broiler, sprinkle polenta with remaining Parmesan cheese. Broil polenta until golden brown- about 2-3 minutes, then slice into 8 pieces. Divide polenta among 4 plates. Top with vegetable, drizzle with sauce and sprinkle with fresh basil.

GRILLED POLENTA BITES WITH BLACK BEAN SALSA

Steps:

• Combine black beans, tomato, onion, jalapeno, cilantro, lime juice, and 1 teaspoon salt in a bowl. Stir to combine. Set aside.
• Preheat an outdoor grill for medium heat and lightly oil the grate.
• Lay polenta rounds on a clean work surface and brush the tops with olive oil. Flip the rounds over and brush the other side with olive oil. Lightly season one side.
• Grill polenta rounds for 5 minutes. Using a spatula, flip them over and grill for 5 minutes longer. Top with black bean salsa just before serving.

GRILLED CORN POLENTA WITH ROASTED RED PEPPERS

Steps:

• ROASTED RED PEPPERS: Broil red peppers, turning often, until charred, 15 minutes. Let cool. Peel off blackened skins. Core, seed and thinly slice; place in a small bowl.
• Sprinkle with oil, vinegar and salt; toss. Stir in basil. Set side.
• In large saucepan, bring 4 cups water and salt to boil; reduce heat to low. Gradually whisk in cornmeal; cook, stirring often, for 10 minutes.
• Add corn; cook until tender-crisp and polenta is thick enough to mound on a spoon, 5-10 minutes. Stir in cheese. Spread in greased 13x9-inch glass baking dish. Let cool until set, about 30 minutes.
• Cut polenta into 12 squares. Place on greased grill over medium heat; close lid and grill, turning once, until marked, about 8 minutes. Served topped with red peppers.