Pesto Polenta Spoonbread Recipes

PESTO POLENTA LASAGNA

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Oil an 11x7x2 inch baking dish.
• Arrange a single layer of polenta in the bottom of the prepared baking dish. Spread a thin layer of pesto over the polenta. Spoon half of the sauce over the polenta. Top with another layer of polenta and sauce.
• Bake, uncovered, for 25 minutes. Turn on the broiler. Top polenta with cheese and pine nuts, and broil until cheese browns and nuts are toasted.

POLENTA NAPOLEON WITH MIXED HERB PESTO

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
• For the polenta: In a large saucepan combine the milk, heavy cream, water, olive oil, and kosher salt and bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce the heat to medium low and slowly pour in the cornmeal, whisking constantly until it thickens, about 5 minutes.
• Cover a baking sheet with plastic wrap. Pour the polenta onto the plastic covered baking sheet and spread to an even 1/4-inch thickness. Let cool at least 15 minutes.
• For the pesto: Puree the basil, mint, cilantro, shallots, and garlic. Add the olive oil in a slow, steady stream, while the food processor is running. Stir in the Parmesan, kosher salt, and sambal.
• For the lasagna: Cut the zucchini lengthwise into 1/4-inch thick slices. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over high heat and saute the zucchini slices until lightly golden. Season with salt and pepper.
• Oil an 8-inch round spring form pan. Spread 2 tablespoons of tomato sauce on the bottom of the pan. Cut the polenta into 3 (7 3/4-inch) rounds. Brush the tops with the Mixed Herb Pesto.
• Place 1 disk in the bottom of the spring form pan. Drizzle with 1/4 cup of tomato sauce and arrange half the zucchini on top. Sprinkle with 2 tablespoons of Parmesan. Cover with the second round of polenta, 1/4 cup tomato sauce, the rest of the zucchini, and 2 tablespoons of Parmesan. Top with the last polenta round, the remaining tomato sauce, and Parmesan. Bake for 20 minutes.
• Remove from the spring form pan, cut into wedges and serve.
• In a large pot heat the olive oil over medium heat. Cook the onion, garlic, and chili flakes in the oil until softened but not browned, about 5 minutes. Add the tomatoes (juice and all), tomato paste, and sugar. Reduce the heat to medium low and simmer until the sauce has thickened, about 20 minutes. Cool the tomato sauce for 10 minutes.
• Puree the sauce in a food processor or food mill. Stir in the extra-virgin olive oil, marjoram, basil, and kosher salt. Store in the refrigerator for up to 1 week or in the freezer for up to 1 month.
• Yield: 6 cups
• Preparation Time: 15 minutes
• Cooking Time: 30 minutes
• Inactive Time: 10 minutes

PESTO PORK WITH POLENTA

Steps:

• Place a rimmed baking sheet in the lower third of the oven; preheat to 450 degrees F. Make the pesto: Pulse the parsley, basil, scallions, whole garlic, Worcestershire sauce, lemon zest and the juice of 1 lemon in a food processor. With the motor running, add 1/4 cup olive oil. Refrigerate 3/4 cup of the pesto for Risotto with Pesto and Peas. Coat the pork with 1/4 cup of the remaining pesto. Mix the remaining 1/2 cup pesto in a small bowl with 1 tablespoon hot water and the remaining lemon juice; season with salt and pepper. Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the pork and brown all over, about 4 minutes. Transfer to the hot baking sheet and roast until a thermometer registers 145 degrees F, about 15 minutes. Meanwhile, cook the polenta as the label directs. Heat the remaining 1/2 tablespoon olive oil in the skillet over medium heat. Add the sliced garlic and cook 1 minute. Add the spinach, 3 tablespoons of the pesto mixture and 1/4 cup water; cook, stirring, until wilted, 3 minutes. Slice the pork; serve with the polenta, spinach and remaining pesto mixture. Season with salt and pepper.
• Per serving:
• Calories 464
• Fat 18 g (Saturated 4 g)
• Cholesterol 111 mg
• Sodium 628 mg
• Carbohydrate 34 g
• Fiber 8 g
• Protein 41 g

JALAPEñO SPOONBREAD

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Oil or butter a 9- or 10-inch cast iron skillet or a 2-quart soufflé dish or baking dish.
• Combine the water, milk and salt in a heavy medium saucepan and bring to a boil over medium heat. Slowly add the cornmeal in a very thin stream while stirring all the time with a whisk or a wooden spoon. Turn the heat to low and stir for 10 to 15 minutes, until the mixture is smooth and thick. Remove from the heat and stir in the butter.
• One at a time, stir in the egg yolks, then add the optional cheese and corn kernels, and the jalapeños.
• In a medium bowl or in the bowl of an electric mixer, beat the egg whites on medium until they form stiff but not dry peaks. Stir 1/4 of the egg whites into the cornmeal mixture and gently fold in the rest. Scrape into the prepared baking dish. Place in the oven and bake for 30 minutes until spoonbread is puffed and beginning to brown. Serve at once. Chill leftovers.

CRUSTED POLENTA TART WITH PESTO, COURGETTE & GRUYèRE

Steps:

• First, make the polenta crust. Bring the vegetable stock to a simmer in a medium saucepan and, working quickly, pour the polenta into the pan. Keep your pan over a low heat and, using a wooden spoon, stir constantly, beating any lumps that form. Continue stirring for 5-6 mins until the polenta is very thick.
• Remove the pan from the heat, add the Gruyère and stir until the cheese has melted. Finally, stir through the beaten egg, season generously, and allow to cool slightly.
• Lightly brush a baking sheet with oil. Tip the polenta into the centre and, using a spatula or oiled fingers, gently spread the polenta into a rectangle shape roughly the size of an A4 sheet of paper.
• Heat oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 6. Smother a thin layer of pesto over the polenta, leaving a 1-1.5cm border around the edge of the tart. Top the pesto with slices of courgette, intermittently adding the sliced garlic and most of the basil. Season with ground black pepper and a good sprinkling of gruyère.
• Cook on the middle shelf of the oven for 45 mins. Reduce the temperature to 180C/160C fan/gas 4 for a further 15 mins. Remove and allow to cool for 5-10 mins, scatter over the remaining basil and serve.

PESTO-POLENTA SPOONBREAD

Steps:

• Preheat over to 400.
• Place cornmeal and water together in a saucepan. Mix until well-blended, using a wooden spoon. Add salt. Heat this mixture until it come to a boil. Lower heat.
• Cook over a low flame for 5-8 minutes, stirring frequently to prevent lumps. It will be very thick.
• Remove from the heat, and vigorously beat in the egg yolks. Stir in the Parmesan and pesto. Transfer to a large bowl and set aside to come to room temperature.
• Beat the egg whites until stiff but not dry. Fold them into the first mixture and transfer to a well-buttered souffle dish. Place it in oven and lower heat to 375. Bake 35-40 minutes until firm.