Grilled Polenta Squares Recipes

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

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.

FONTINA AND PROSCIUTTO STUFFED PORK CHOPS WITH GRILLED POLENTA SQUARES AND ROASTED CALIFORNIA GRAPES

Steps:

• Prepare the pork chops. Make a brine by combining the water, sugar, salt, thyme sprigs, clove and all-spice berries in a re-sealable bag. Add the pork chops, seal up the bag and put in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes.
• Preheat oven to 425 degrees F.
• Drain the pork chops and pat dry. Using a paring knife, make a horizontal cut into the center of each chop to make a pocket. Stuff a slice of fontina and prosciutto inside each pocket and secure with a toothpick. Set 2 large cast iron skillets over medium-high heat and add a 2-count of extra-virgin olive oil to each skillet. Add 2 chops to each of the skillets and cook for 4 to 5 minutes until golden. Turn chops, push to 1 side and set grape clusters in pan. Drizzle with a little olive oil and season with salt and pepper before putting the pans in the oven. Roast chops for 5 to 7 minutes until cooked through and cheese has melted. Remove from oven when done and set chops and clusters of roasted grapes aside on a plate - keep warm.
• Consolidate juices into 1 pan and set over medium heat. Add a splash of chicken stock to the pan, scraping the bottom to extract all the flavors. Fold in cold butter while whisking to thicken sauce. Season with salt and pepper. To serve, set 1 pork chop on each plate on top of a Grilled Polenta Square, garnish with a cluster of roasted grapes and drizzle with pan sauce. Set a stack of hydroponic watercress to 1 side and serve.
• Bring water and salt to a boil in a large saucepan. Gradually whisk in the cornmeal in a slow steady stream. Lower heat and continue to whisk until the polenta is thick and smooth, about 20 minutes. Add the cream and butter and continue to stir until incorporated. Remove from heat; fold in Parmesan and black pepper. Pour the polenta into a buttered 9 by 13-inch shallow baking dish and spread evenly with a spatula. Cover and chill a few hours. Cut the polenta into squares. Brush both sides with olive oil and transfer to a hot grill. Grill on both sides until golden brown.

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.

CRISPY POLENTA SQUARES

Steps:

• Pour warm polenta into an oiled 8-by-8-inch square pan and smooth out top. Refrigerate until firm, at least 2 hours but up to overnight.
• Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Flip polenta onto a cutting board. Brush the top with olive oil. Cut into 16 two-inch squares. Preheat a baking sheet for a few minutes and place the squares on the sheet.
• Place baking sheet in the upper third rack of the oven. Cook 10 minutes. Meanwhile, make the tomato topping by combining all ingredients in a bowl and tossing to coat. Let sit until ready to serve.
• Increase oven setting to broil and cook polenta squares until golden brown on top, about 3 minutes. Transfer squares to a platter and scatter tomato mixture on top.

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:

• Bring water and salt to a boil in a large saucepan. Gradually whisk in the cornmeal in a slow steady stream. Lower heat and continue to whisk until the polenta is thick and smooth, about 20 minutes. Add the cream and butter and continue to stir until incorporated. Remove from heat, fold in Parmesan and black pepper. Pour the polenta into a buttered 9 by 13-inch shallow baking dish and spread evenly with a spatula. Cover and chill a few hours. Cut the polenta into squares. Brush both sides with olive oil and transfer to a hot grill. Grill on both sides until golden brown.

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.

PARMESAN POLENTA SQUARES

Steps:

• Whisk both cornmeals in bowl to blend. Bring broth to boil in heavy medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Gradually whisk in cornmeal. Reduce heat to medium-low; whisk constantly until mixture boils and becomes very thick, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat. Whisk in 1/2 cup Parmesan; season with salt and pepper. Pour polenta into 8 x 8 x 2-inch baking pan; smooth top. Cool until firm, at least 30 minutes, or cover and chill overnight.
• Preheat broiler. Cut polenta into 16 squares; brush generously with oil. Arrange polenta, oiled side down, on small baking sheet. Brush top of polenta with oil. Broil until heated through and golden brown, about 3 minutes per side. Transfer to platter. Sprinkle with 1/2 cup Parmesan.

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.

FRIED POLENTA SQUARES WITH CREAMY MUSHROOM RAGU

Steps:

• Bring 4 cups of water to a boil. Whisk in the polenta. Once it begins to thicken, reduce heat to a simmer and cook for 45 minutes until creamy and thick, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking. Stir in the Parmesan and a 1/4 teaspoon of salt. Stir until melted and cheese is no longer visible. Remove from heat.
• Line an 8x11 inch baking dish with Reynolds Wrap® Aluminum Foil and carefully pour the polenta into the baking dish, using a spatula to smooth it to an even thickness, about 3/4 inch. Cover and refrigerate for at least two hours and up to two days until firm.
• While the polenta chills, make your ragu. In a large heavy skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat until shimmering. Add the onion and garlic and saute until fragrant and translucent, about 5 minutes. Stir often to prevent browning. Add mushrooms and thyme and cook over medium-high heat until the mushrooms start to release their liquid. Add 1/2 teaspoon of salt and continue to cook another 5 minutes until they begin to soften more.
• Add flour, stirring, until it is no longer visible, about 1 minute. Add in the wine, cream and sugar, and bring the mixture to a simmer. Taste and adjust salt if desired. Simmer until thick and creamy and the mushrooms are nicely coated, about 15 minutes. Finish with a squeeze of fresh lemon juice and 1/2 cup minced parsley. Set aside and cover to keep warm.
• Slice your polenta into squares -- whatever size you desire. Wipe down your skillet, coat it with nonstick cooking spray, and heat it over medium-high. Fry the squares in the pan until golden brown and warmed through. To serve, top the squares with warm mushroom ragu.

GRILLED POLENTA WITH CORN, RED ONION, AND CUCUMBER SALAD

Steps:

• Bring 4 cups water and salt to boil in heavy large saucepan. Gradually add polenta, whisking until boiling and smooth. Reduce heat to low. Cook until very thick, whisking often, about 25 minutes (about 15 minutes for yellow cornmeal). Whisk in cheese. Spread in 8x8x2-inch glass baking dish. Cool slightly. Cover; chill at least 6 hours.
• Whisk lime juice, oil and garlic in large bowl to blend. Set dressing aside.
• Spray grill with oil spray; prepare barbecue (medium heat). Spray corn and onion slices with oil spray. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Grill until vegetables are tender, turning often, about 8 minutes for corn and 15 minutes for onion. Cool. Cut corn kernels from cobs. Coarsely chop onion. Add corn, onion, tomatoes, cucumber and mint to dressing; toss. Season with salt and pepper.
• Cut polenta into 4 squares. Cut each square diagonally into 2 triangles. Spray polenta with oil spray. Grill until heated through, about 5 minutes per side.
• Divide salad among 4 plates. Place 2 polenta triangles alongside each salad.

GRILLED POLENTA WITH MUSHROOM SAUCE

Steps:

• In a large heavy saucepan, saute shallot in oil until tender. Add the basil, garlic and oregano; cook 1 minute longer. Stir in wine. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, for 5 minutes., Add the broth, tomatoes and salt; bring to a boil. Reduce to 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 side of the pan. Spread into a 9-in. square baking pan coated with cooking spray. Cool to room temperature, about 30 minutes., Meanwhile, in a large skillet, saute mushrooms and shallot in oil until tender. Add the garlic, salt and pepper; cook 1 minute longer. Add wine, stirring to loosen browned bits from pan. Gradually stir in cream. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cook and stir for 5-10 minutes or until slightly thickened., Cut polenta into nine squares. Grill, covered, over medium heat for 5-7 minutes on each side or until crisp and golden brown. Serve with mushroom sauce.