Grilled Polenta Santa Fe Style Recipes

CRISPY GRILLED POLENTA RECIPE

Steps:

• Gather the ingredients.
• Pour warm polenta into a glass loaf pan. Smooth the top, cover and refrigerate until set, a few hours or up to overnight.
• Turn the polenta onto a cutting board. It should be completely molded into the shape of your loaf pan. Cut into 1/2-inch slices. Brush each slice on both sides with olive oil.
• Pre heat a medium (400°F to 475°F) gas or charcoal grill fire. Place each slice diagonally across the grill and let it cook until dark-brown grill marks appear, about 10 minutes. Do not move the polenta around or you will disturb the browning process.
• Flip and grill the other side until grill marks appear, about another 10 minutes. Serve hot with a sprinkle of flaky salt and freshly ground black pepper, if desired.

CREAMY GRILLED CORN POLENTA

Steps:

• Preheat grill to medium-high heat.
• Brush corn with oil. Grill corn until charred in spots and tender, about 5 minutes on each side.
• Remove from the grill and set aside to cool.
• Place a saucepan with 5 cups of water and 1 tablespoon of salt onto a medium heat, bring the water to boil, and slowly stir in the polenta. Reduce the heat and continue to stir for about 5 minutes until thickened and creamy. Add the butter and blend into the mixture.
• Stir in the cheese. Keep warm.
• Cut the corn off of the cob and stir it into the cooked polenta. Season with salt and pepper, to taste, and serve warm.

GRILLED POLENTA WITH STRAWBERRIES

Steps:

• Place the sliced strawberries into a small bowl, add sugar and brandy, and stir to coat. Let stand while you prepare the polenta.
• Cut polenta into eight 1/2- to 3/4-inch-thick slices. Lightly brush the slices with olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper.
• Preheat an outdoor grill for medium-high heat and lightly spray the grate.
• Grill the polenta slices for 7 to 10 minutes per side, turning once. Place 2 slices on a dessert plate and top with 1/4 of the strawberry mixture.

GRILLED POLENTA

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Combine the polenta, 1 1/2 quarts water and salt in a 2-quart baking dish, and stir together. Place the baking dish on top of a sheet pan (so that if water sloshes when you put it in the oven, it will just go onto the sheet pan), and place in the oven. Bake one hour. Remove from the oven, stir in the butter and return to the oven for 20 minutes. Remove from the oven, and stir again. Return to the oven for 10 to 20 minutes, until stiff. Remove from the oven and allow to cool, then chill for one hour or more.
• Prepare a medium grill or heat an electric griddle on medium. Cut the polenta into squares, and brush the squares on both sides with olive oil. Place on the grill or griddle. When grill marks appear or when nicely browned, usually in about two to three minutes, turn and brown the other side. Serve hot.

GRILLED POLENTA, SANTA FE STYLE

Steps:

• Butter an eight-inch square baking dish.
• Heat the oil in a large, heavy saucepan. Add the onion and the jalapeno and cook over medium heat about six minutes, until the onion is tender but not brown. Stir in the water and salt and bring to a simmer.
• Slowly add the cornmeal to the simmering water in a thin stream, stirring constantly. This is easily done by taking handfuls of the cornmeal and allowing it to pour into the pan from a slightly open fist.
• Continue cooking the mixture until it is quite thick, about 15 minutes longer. Remove it from the heat and fold in the cheese. Spread the mixture evenly in a baking dish and allow it to cool to room temperature.
• Shortly before serving heat a grill or broiler. Cut the cooled polenta into six equal parts. Remove them from the pan and brush them on both sides with the butter. Grill or broil the polenta until heated through and lightly seared on both sides. Serve at once.

GRILLED POLENTA

Steps:

• In a medium saucepan, over medium-high heat, bring the water and the salt to just a boil. Reduce the heat, slowly whisk in the polenta and season with pepper. Continue to whisk until the mixture starts to tighten up, about 3 to 4 minutes. Add the fresh chopped herbs, 2 tablespoons of the butter and the Parmesan. Continue to stir until well combined and very thick, taste for seasoning adjustment.
• Liberally butter a 10-inch springform pan on the bottom and about 2-inches up the side. Pour in the hot polenta and with a rubber spatula, rubbed with butter, smooth out the top. Set aside to cool to room temperature, then cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 2 hours to set. (This can also be done up to 1 day ahead.)
• Preheat a grill to medium.
• When ready to grill, or pan fry, remove the polenta from the pan and cut it into equal pie shapes or cut circles with a biscuit cutter. Lightly oil a grill, brush each side of the polenta with olive oil and grill or pan sear until golden brown, about 3 minutes on each side. Arrange the polenta on a serving platter and serve hot.

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 POLENTA WITH CORN AND PARMESAN

Steps:

• Heat 1 tablespoon oil in medium skillet over medium heat. Add onion; sauté 5 minutes. Add garlic; sauté 1 minute. Add corn; sauté until heated through, about 3 minutes. Remove from heat.
• Bring 2 cups water and 1 teaspoon salt to boil in medium saucepan over medium heat. Whisk cornmeal and 1 cup water in medium bowl to blend. Whisk cornmeal-water mixture into boiling water; return to boil. Cook until polenta is smooth and thick, stirring often, about 30 minutes. Stir in corn mixture.
• Brush 11x7x2-inch dish with oil. Spread polenta in dish. Cool completely. (Can be made 1 day ahead. Cover; chill.)
• Prepare barbecue (medium-high heat). Brush grill with oil. Cut polenta into 12 squares. Brush both sides with oil. Place on grill; cover grill. Grill until polenta is golden brown, about 3 minutes per side, sprinkling with cheese during last minute. Serve hot.

PARMESAN POLENTA FOR GRILLING

Steps:

• Bring stock or water (pinch of salt if using water) to boiling in a 2 quart sauce pan. Add rosemary if using. Slowly whisk in the cornmeal to the boiling stock / water, whisking constantly. Cook and whisk until mixture returns to boiling. Reduce heat to very low. Cover and simmer for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add Parmesan cheese and olive oil / butter.
• Pour into a greased 8x4x2-inch loaf pan. Cool 1 hour. Cover and chill several hours or over night. Polenta may be kept in the refrigerator for up to 3 days before serving. To serve, remove polenta from pan and cut into 1/2-inch-thick slices.
• **To bake, place slices in a single layer on a greased baking sheet. Bake, covered, in a 400 degree F oven for 10 to 12 minutes or until heated through.
• **To fry, heat 2 teaspoons olive oil in a large nonstick skillet or on a griddle over medium heat. Add polenta slices and cook about 6 minutes or until golden brown, turning once during cooking time.
• **To toast, lightly brush slices with olive oil and arrange on a lightly oiled baking sheet. Place under broiler, 4 to 5 inches away from the heat source, for 4 to 5 minutes per side or until golden brown and crisp.