Hearty Herbed Veggie Topped Polenta Recipes

HERBED POLENTA "FRIES"

Steps:

• Brush an 8-inch square baking dish with oil.
• Combine water, polenta, herbs, and 3/4 teaspoon salt in a heavy medium saucepan and bring to a boil over medium heat, whisking. Reduce heat to medium-low and cook, stirring constantly with a long-handled wooden spoon, until polenta begins to pull away from side of pan, 15 to 20 minutes. Stir in cheese and butter until incorporated, then transfer polenta to baking dish, spreading evenly with a dampened rubber spatula. Chill, uncovered, until set, about 45 minutes.
• Preheat broiler. Line a baking sheet with foil and brush with oil.
• Unmold polenta, then cut into 16 (about 4- by 1-inch) sticks. Brush tops with oil and space evenly on baking sheet. Broil about 4 inches from heat until golden, 15 to 20 minutes.

HERBY POLENTA WITH CORN, EGGS AND FETA

Steps:

• Heat the oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit/200 degrees Celsius.
• Add the corn to a food processor and pulse once or twice, just until roughly chopped. Transfer corn to a large bowl and add the spinach, cornmeal, Parmesan, scallions, 1/4 cup cilantro, parsley, dill, garlic, 1 1/2 teaspoons salt and a good grind of pepper; stir to combine. Transfer this mixture to a large, deep, oven-proof skillet, then add the milk, stock and butter, stirring gently to mix through. Transfer to the oven and bake for 20 minutes, then remove from the oven and give everything a good whisk.
• Return to the oven and bake until the cornmeal is cooked through and the mixture has thickened, about 20 minutes. Give the polenta another good whisk - it should be quite smooth and not completely set - then stir in half the feta. Increase the oven temperature to 425 degrees Fahrenheit/220 degrees Celsius.
• Use a dinner spoon to make 8 shallow wells in the polenta. Crack an egg into each well and sprinkle lightly with salt and pepper. Sprinkle the remaining feta all over, and bake until the egg whites are cooked and the yolks are still runny, 10 to 15 minutes.
• Meanwhile, combine the reserved scallions and cilantro in a bowl with the oil. Spoon this mixture all over the polenta and eggs and sprinkle with the red-pepper flakes. Serve directly from the pan.

HERBED POLENTA

Steps:

• Bring four-and-a-half cups of stock to a simmer in a heavy saucepan. Add the cornmeal very slowly, stirring constantly. The easiest way to add the cornmeal is to take handfuls of it and allow a very fine stream to pour from your slightly open fist. When all the cornmeal has been added continue cooking the mixture, stirring from time to time, for another 15 minutes.
• Season to taste with salt and pepper and stir in the butter and herbs. Serve at once. The polenta can be held for up to about 20 minutes if you add the additional half-cup of stock and cover it. Reheat it gently, stirring constantly, then serve.
• Serve with a generous dusting of the Parmesan cheese.

VEGGIE-TOPPED POLENTA SLICES

Steps:

• In a large nonstick skillet, cook polenta in 1 tablespoon oil over medium heat for 9-11 minutes on each side or until golden brown., Meanwhile, in another large skillet, saute zucchini in remaining oil until tender. Add shallots and garlic; cook 1 minute longer. Add the broth, pepper and salt. Bring to a boil; cook until liquid is almost evaporated., Stir in the tomatoes, basil and parsley; heat through. Serve with polenta; sprinkle with cheese.

HERBED POLENTA

Steps:

• Bring the water to a boil in a heavy large saucepan. Add 2 teaspoons of salt. Gradually whisk in the cornmeal. Reduce the heat to low and cook until the mixture thickens and the cornmeal is tender, stirring often, about 15 minutes. Remove from the heat. Add the cheese, milk, butter, parsley, rosemary, thyme, and pepper, and stir until the butter and cheese melt. Transfer the polenta to a bowl and serve.

TOASTED HERBED POLENTA

Steps:

• Combine the milk, water, salt and cornmeal in a 2 or 3 quart heavy bottomed saucepan. Stir with a fork to eliminate lumps. Heat just to a boil (but without scorching). Reduce heat to low and simmer for 25 minutes, stirring occasionally with a wooden spoon. If, near the end of cooking, the polenta is becoming to thick and heavy to stir, add 1 or more tablespoons cold water to loosen the mixture enough to be able to stir it and maintain a creamy consistency..
• Remove from the heat. Add butter, 1/4 cup Parmesan, and the herbs, and stir quickly to incorporate. Pour the still-hot polenta into a buttered cake pan and smooth evenly with a spatula. Cool thoroughly until firm before cutting into serving portions. If prepared ahead of time, the polenta can be covered and refrigerated, uncut, for several hours or overnight.
• To toast the polenta, turn it out of the pan and cut into the desired serving size and shape. Place the pieces on a sheet pan, sprinkle with remaining Parmesan and place in a 375 degree oven for 10 minutes. If the top has not browned sufficiently, toast under the broiler briefly before serving.

HERBED POLENTA

Steps:

• Bring small pot of water to boil.
• Add herbs and blanch 5 seconds.
• Drain.
• Refresh under cold water and drain.
• Place herbs and oil in blender and puree. Cover; chill.
• (Can be made 1 day ahead.) Bring water to boil in heavy medium saucepan over medium heat. Gradually whisk in cornmeal.
• Cook until thickened, stirring often, about 5 minutes.
• Add cream.
• Stir in 1/4 cup herb puree. Season polenta with salt and cayenne. Serves: 4 Source: Bon Appetit Serve With: meats, roasts

HERBED CHEESE POLENTA

Steps:

• Bring water to a boil in a large, heavy pot.
• Add the salt.
• Gradually whisk in the cornmeal.
• reduce the heat to low and cook, stirring often, until the mixture thickens and the cornmeal is tender, about 15 minutes.
• Remove from heat.
• Add the cheese, milk butter, herbs and pepper.
• Stir until the butter and cheese melt.
• Transfer the polenta to a bowl and serve.