Herb And Feta Polenta Topped With Sun Dried Tomato Tapenade Recipes

HERB AND TOMATO POLENTA

Steps:

• Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the olive oil and tomatoes. Cook the tomatoes, stirring occasionally, until they start to blister and release some of their juices, 8 to 10 minutes. Toss in the garlic and season generously with salt and pepper. Cook another 1 minute, then remove from the heat.
• In a saucepan over low heat, stir the Parmesan and butter into the Cooked Polenta, thinning with milk as desired. Turn off the heat, stir in the lemon zest, taste for seasoning and add salt if necessary.
• Transfer the polenta to a serving bowl. Use a spoon to create a shallow well and top with the tomatoes, torn basil, some black pepper and a drizzle of olive oil.
• Bring 6 cups of water to a rolling boil in a heavy-bottomed 4-quart saucepan over medium-high heat. Reduce the heat to the lowest possible setting, add the baking soda and 1 1/2 teaspoons salt and pour the cornmeal into the water in a very slow stream from a measuring cup, all the while whisking in a circular motion to prevent lumps.
• Cook, vigorously stirring the polenta with a wooden spoon for about 10 seconds once every 5 minutes and making sure to scrape clean the bottom and corners of the pot, until the polenta has lost its raw cornmeal taste and becomes soft and smooth, about 30 minutes. If the polenta looks like it's drying out too quickly, continue cooking with the lid on. Cooked Polenta recipe courtesy of Jeff Mauro.

SUN-DRIED TOMATO TAPENADE ON POLENTA TRIANGLES

Steps:

• For Tapenade:
• Combine all ingredients in processor. Using on/of turns, process until finely chopped. Transfer to small bowl. Season with salt and pepper.
• For Polenta:
• Combine whipping cream, water and salt in heavy medium saucepan. Bring to boil. Gradually whisk in cornmeal. Reduce heat to medium-low and stir until polenta is thick, about 10 minutes. Mix in hot sauce. Season with pepper. Pour into 8-inch square glass baking dish. Chill until cold, about 1 hour. (Tapenade and polenta can be made 1 day ahead. Cover separately and chill.)
• Cut polenta into 12 squares. Cut each square in half diagonally, forming 24 triangles. Heat 2 tablespoons oil in heavy large nonstick skillet over high heat. Working in batches, add polenta triangles and sauté until golden, adding remaining 2 tablespoons oil as necessary, about 2 minutes per side for each batch. Transfer polenta to paper towels; drain.
• Divide tapenade among triangles. Arrange on platter. Garnish with parsley. Serve at room temperature.

BAKED FETA SPREAD WITH SUN-DRIED TOMATOES

Steps:

• Combine feta cheese, olive oil, sun-dried tomatoes (plus some of the oil), garlic, lemon juice, pepper, red pepper flakes, and salt in a large resealable plastic bag and allow to marinate for 1 hour at room temperature.
• Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C).
• Transfer ingredients to a small oven-proof stone dish or ramekin.
• Bake in the preheated oven until spread bubbles and is slightly browned, about 15 minutes. Serve immediately.

SMOKY CREAMY POLENTA WITH SUN-DRIED TOMATOES

Steps:

• In a heavy bottom pot melt butter. Add onions season with the salt and cook for 3 minutes.
• Add pepper flakes if using, sun-dried tomatoes, garlic and cook until the aroma of the garlic is released, about 1 minute.
• Add Broth bring to a boil. Add chipotle sauce.
• Whisk in corn meal adding in a thin stream so not to clump stirring all the while. When all the corn meal is added lower the flame to medium.
• Stir with a wooden spoon till it comes from the sides of the pot. About 30 minutes. Add the brie and stir till melted and blended inches Or just mix so to leave some of the cheese still present!
• Ahh, the goodness of cheese! Watch this polenta change from just polenta to yummy, creamy, comforting polenta!

SUNDRIED TOMATO TAPENADE

Steps:

• Stir balsamic vinegar, olive oil, and cayenne pepper together in a bowl; fold in sun-dried tomatoes, Kalamata olives, green olives, and garlic. Season with black pepper. Cover bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for flavors to blend, at least 2 hours to overnight.
• Arrange cream cheese halves on 2 serving dishes; spoon tapenade over cream cheese.

TAPENADE WITH SUN-DRIED TOMATOES

Steps:

• Heat oil in a heavy large skillet over low heat. Add onions, sauté until dark brown, occasionally scraping up brown bits, about 30 minutes Transfer onions to processor. Add tomatoes and olive. Using on/off turns, process until chunky paste forms (do not puree). Season with pepper. Cool. (Can be made one week ahead. Cover; chill. Bring to room temperature before using.)

CHEESY SUN-DRIED TOMATO AND OLIVE POLENTA WEDGES

Steps:

• Lightly grease a round sandwich (sponge)cake pan.
• Using a large saucepan, bring the stock to a boil. Add the polenta and reduce to a simmer. Stir constantly for about 10-15 minutes, or until the polenta is very thick.
• Remove from the heat and stir in the cheeses, basil, olives and tomatoes.
• Press the polenta mixture firmly into the prepared tin. Smooth over the top. Cool to room temperature and then refrigerate until firm. this will be at least 2 hours.(This stage can be done a day ahead).
• Cut polenta into 16 wedges. Dust the wedges in flour (use either regular or gluten-free/rice flour)and shallow fry in a large frying pan, until browned and crisp on both sides. Drain on absorbent paper (or use a wire rack) before serving.
• Variation- use a larger tin - that will produce a flatter polenta cake. Cut into squares or wedges. Spray with a cooking oil spray and grill, BBQ or use a health grill.
• Should have 8 serves.