Manchego Polenta Recipes

MANCHEGO POLENTA

Steps:

• Combine onion and olive oil in a large microwave-safe bowl, stirring to coat. Add 2 1/4 cups water, polenta, stock, pepper, and salt, stirring to combine. Microwave at HIGH 8 minutes, stirring after 4 minutes. Stir in ­Manchego cheese.

SPANISH CHICKEN STEW WITH MANCHEGO POLENTA

Steps:

• Heat the extra-virgin olive oil in a cast iron skillet or large pan over medium heat. Season the chicken thighs with salt, pepper, to taste, and the paprika. Brown the chicken for a couple minutes on each side, then add the chorizo and brown for a couple minutes. Add the onions and garlic and cook for 5 minutes more. Stir in the wine to deglaze the pan, then add the tomatoes, peppers and parsley. Reduce the heat to a simmer.
• In a medium pot, bring the stock to a boil over high heat. Slowly add the polenta and whisk until thickened, about 2 to 3 minutes. Stir in the butter and cheese, then spoon the polenta into shallow bowls and make a well in the center. Fill the polenta-lined bowls with the stew and serve.

HOW TO MAKE PERFECT POLENTA

Steps:

• Bring water and salt to a boil in a large saucepan; pour polenta slowly into boiling water, whisking constantly until all polenta is stirred in and there are no lumps.
• Reduce heat to low and simmer, whisking often, until polenta starts to thicken, about 5 minutes. Polenta mixture should still be slightly loose. Cover and cook for 30 minutes, whisking every 5 to 6 minutes. When polenta is too thick to whisk, stir with a wooden spoon. Polenta is done when texture is creamy and the individual grains are tender.
• Turn off heat and gently stir 2 tablespoons butter into polenta until butter partially melts; mix 1/2 cup Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese into polenta until cheese has melted. Cover and let stand 5 minutes to thicken; stir and taste for salt before transferring to a serving bowl. Top polenta with remaining 1 tablespoon butter and about 1 tablespoon freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese for garnish.

QUICK COOKING CHEESY POLENTA

Steps:

• In medium saucepan, bring the chicken stock and milk to a boil. Whisk in the polenta, stirring until the polenta just pulls from the side of the pot. Stir in the Manchego cheese and serve warm.

MARINATED MANCHEGO WITH ORANGE PRESERVE

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350°F. Cut 1/4" off top of garlic bulb and place on a sheet of foil. Drizzle with oil; season with salt. Wrap tightly in foil and bake until skin is golden brown and cloves are tender, 35-40 minutes. Let cool. Squeeze cloves into a large bowl.
• Meanwhile, cut 1/4" off top and bottom of orange and cut lengthwise into quarters. Remove flesh from each quarter, not including white pith, from peel in 1 piece (save peels). Squeeze juice from flesh into a small bowl; set aside. Cut peel into 1/4" pieces and place in a small saucepan; pour in cold water to cover by 1". Bring to a boil then drain; repeat process twice more to remove bitterness. Return orange peels to saucepan and add sugar, reserved orange juice, and 1/2 cup water. Bring to a boil; reduce heat and simmer, stirring occasionally, until peels are soft and liquid is syrupy, 20-30 minutes. Let orange preserve cool.
• Add orange preserve, Manchego, rosemary, thyme, and remaining 1 1/2 cups oil to bowl with garlic and gently toss to combine. Cover and chill at least 12 hours.
• Bring marinated Manchego to room temperature before serving with bread.
• Do Ahead
• Manchego can be marinated 5 days ahead. Cover and chill.

SAUTéED SHRIMP WITH POLENTA AND MANCHEGO SAUCE

Steps:

• For the polenta, bring stock and milk to a boil in a small, heavy saucepan over medium heat.
• Reduce heat to simmer and slowly add cornmeal to saucepan, whisking constantly. Cook, stirring constantly, for 20 minutes over medium-low heat.
• If polenta becomes too thick, slowly add as much as 1 more cup of stock.
• Stir in cheese and 2 tablespoons of the butter.
• Add salt and pepper to taste.
• Pour polenta into a greased 8-inch square pan and set aside and let cool until firm, about 45 minutes.
• For the shrimp, rinse shrimp and pat dry with paper towels.
• Sprinkle shrimp with sea salt and paprika and let marinate for 10 minutes.
• Heat olive oil in large heavy skillet over medium heat.
• Sauté garlic for about 30 seconds.
• Add shrimp and sauté until opaque in center, about 2 minutes on each side.
• Remove from heat and keep warm.
• For the sauce, melt 1 tablespoon of the butter in small saucepan over medium heat. Add shallot, garlic, celery, salt, pepper, and paprika and cook until shallot is soft, about 5 minutes.
• Add the other tablespoon of butter and melt into vegetables.
• Whisk in flour.
• Add broth a few tablespoons at a time, very slowly, whisking to combine.
• When thickened, add cream a few tablespoons at a time, following the same procedure as with the broth. When thickened, whisk in the cheese, stirring until melted. Mix in lemon juice.
• Invert baking dish to remove polenta from pan.
• Cut polenta into four squares.
• Heat the remaining 2 tablespoons butter in large skillet over medium heat.
• Sauté polenta in butter until warmed through and golden brown on both sides.
• To assemble, place each polenta square on its own plate, stack shrimp on top of polenta and drizzle with sauce.
• Garnish with paprika, if desired.