Polenta Egg Cups Recipes

MEDITERRANEAN POLENTA CUPS

Steps:

• In a large heavy saucepan, bring water and salt 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. Remove from the heat; stir in thyme and pepper. , Spoon heaping tablespoonfuls into miniature muffin cups coated with cooking spray. Using the back of a spoon, make an indentation in the center of each. Cover and chill until set. Meanwhile, in a small bowl, combine the tomatoes, feta cheese, basil and garlic. , Unmold polenta cups and place on an ungreased baking sheet. Top each with 1 heaping tablespoon of tomato mixture. Broil 4 in. from the heat for 5-7 minutes or until heated through.

CREAMY POLENTA WITH BRAISED GREENS AND POACHED EGGS

Steps:

• Make the chile oil: Combine the chopped chiles, olive oil and 1/4 teaspoon salt in a small saucepan over low heat and cook 5 minutes. Remove from the heat and let cool completely. Transfer to a bowl, cover and refrigerate up to 1 week. (You will have about 1 1/4 cups chile oil.)
• Cook the polenta: Bring 3 cups cold water, the milk, 1 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper to a boil in a medium saucepan over high heat. Gradually whisk in the polenta; whisk constantly until the mixture is smooth and begins to thicken, about 5 minutes. Reduce the heat to medium low and simmer, stirring often, until tender and thickened but still creamy, about 30 minutes. Add more hot water as needed if the mixture seems too dry. Stir in the butter and cheese.
• Meanwhile, make the braised greens: Heat the olive oil in a large high-sided saute pan over medium heat. Add the onion and cook until softened, 4 minutes. Add the garlic and cook, stirring occasionally, until slightly golden brown, about 2 minutes. Add the greens, season with salt and pepper and toss. Reduce the heat to medium, stir in 1 cup water, cover and cook until wilted and soft, about 20 minutes. Remove the lid during the last 5 minutes to cook off any additional liquid. Stir in the red wine vinegar just before serving.
• Poach the eggs: Heat 3 cups water with the white vinegar until simmering in a large high-sided frying pan. Break each egg into a cup, then gently add to the water. Poach until the yolks are nearly set, 4 to 5 minutes. Remove the eggs from the pan with a slotted spoon to drain the liquid and place on a plate. Season with salt and pepper.
• To serve, spoon some of the polenta into bowls, top with some of the greens and a poached egg per bowl. Drizzle with the chile oil and garnish with the chopped parsley.

CHORIZO EGG CUPS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 425 degrees F.
• Butter a nonstick regular size muffin tin with 12 muffin cups or 2 (6-muffin) cups.
• For the polenta:
• In a medium-sized stock pot over medium heat, bring the milk and stock to a bubble.
• While the liquids are heating up place a small skillet over medium-high heat with 1 turn of the pan of olive oil, about 1 tablespoon. Add the chorizo and cook until crispy 2 to 3 minutes.
• Once the liquids come up to a bubble slowly whisk in the polenta and continue whisking until it begins to thicken and resemble hot oatmeal about 3 to 4 minutes. Turn off the heat and add in the cheese, chopped parsley, 2 tablespoons butter and crispy chorizo. Pour the polenta into the muffin tins, 1/2 of the way up the muffin cup.
• Once all the cups are filled, form a well with the back of a spoon by pushing the polenta up the side until it reaches the top rim of the muffin tin. The well will be relatively large but that's ok, you want the egg to have a little nesting place so it won't overflow out of the tin. Once you have made all the wells, crack an egg into each of the polenta filled cups. Season the tops of the eggs with some salt and pepper. Transfer to the oven and bake for 20 minutes; yolk will still be a little runny. Once done, remove from the oven and let sit. Run a small butter knife around the edges of the polenta to loosen from the sides of the muffin tin. Gently help them out of the muffin tins with a fork or a knife and serve plated or on a platter.

POLENTA EGG CUPS

Steps:

• Pre-heat oven to 425°F.
• Butter a nonstick muffin tin (regular size, with six muffin cups).
• Bring the milk and vegetable stock to a low boil in a medium size stockpot over medium heat.
• Slowly whisk in the polenta and continue whisking until it begins to thicken and resemble hot oatmeal, about 3-4 minutes.
• Turn off the heat, add in the cheese and season with salt and pepper.
• Pour the polenta into the muffin tin, halfway up each muffin cup. Once all the cups are filled, form a well with the back of a spoon by pushing the polenta up the sides until it reaches the top rim (dip the spoon in water so it won't stick to the polenta).
• The well will be relatively large, but that's okay - you want the egg to have a little nesting place so it won't overflow out of the tin.
• Once you have made all the wells, crack an egg into each of the polenta-filled cups.
• Bake in the oven for 20 minutes, until firm (the yolk will still be a little runny). Remove from the oven and let sit a few minutes to cool enough to handle.
• In a medium size serving bowl, mix together the arugula, basil and lemon juice. Drizzle with some olive oil and season with a little salt and pepper.
• To serve the polenta egg cups, run a small butter knife around the edges of the polenta to loosen it from the sides of the muffin tin. Gently pry out with a fork or a knife and serve with the salad alongside.